Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF)
The Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF) is a Nigerian organization created in 27 September 1981 for the purpose of administering and promoting professional wrestling in Nigeria. It is a subdivision of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), which is part of the global United World Wrestling (UWW).
Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation
Abbreviation: NPWF
Founded: 1981
Founder: Shehu Shagari
Headquarters: National Stadium, Lagos
Region served: Nigeria
President: John O. Uche
Southeast Director: Fidelis Kene Chiekezie
P. Secretary: Olusesan Olukoya
Website: npwf.online
History
In 1976, Michael Okpala, known as Power Mike, established Power Mike International Promotions following his retirement from active wrestling and world tours. The organization was created to train aspiring professional wrestlers and organize wrestling events. Wrestling facilities associated with the organization were located in Onitsha, Abuja, and Lagos.
During the 1970s, the Nigeria Wrestling Board of Control (NWB of C) was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to organize and regulate professional wrestling and was chaired by Nnamdi Evaristus Ofoegbu, while Ralph Nwafor served as Secretary-General.
The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) was inaugurated on 27 September 1981 by Senate President Joseph Wayas during the administration of President Shehu Shagari. The federation was established to administer amateur and professional wrestling activities in Nigeria. In 1990, the federation separated its amateur and professional divisions, resulting in the formation of the Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation (NAWF) and the Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF).
The NPWF was incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission on 5 June 1997. Individuals identified with its establishment include Power Mike, Big Jim Obot, Iron Fineface, Captain Killer, Elephando Bassey, Sunny Wonder, Iron Saigun and L.T. Hammer.
As of 2026, John Onyebuchi Uche serves as National President of the NPWF. Fidelis Kene Chiekezie serves as Southeast Director, Elephando Bassey as National Secretary and Olusesan Olukoya as National Publicity Secretary.
Decline
The national president, John Uche, has attributed a decline in professional wrestling activity in Nigeria to management-related issues and insufficient institutional support. The organization has also identified infrastructure, funding, and organizational continuity as factors affecting the development of professional wrestling in Nigeria.
Past presidents
* Sunday Oluwayemi (Sunny Wonder) – National President, NWF-NPWF (1981–2006)
* Simon O. Umeh (Iron Saigon) – National President, NPWF (2008–2012)
* Hameed Olanrewaju Mohammed – (2013–2020)
* John Onyebuchi Uche – (2020–Present)
Relationship with Amateur Wrestling
The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) was established to administer both amateur and professional wrestling in Nigeria. Following the separation of the two divisions in 1990, the Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation (NAWF) and the Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF) became separate organizations. Both organizations trace their origins to the federation inaugurated on 27 September 1981.
Wrestling promotions in Nigeria
Licensed organizations that have been associated with professional wrestling promotion and activities in Nigeria. Their legal status, period of operation, and relationship with governing bodies have varied over time.
Promotion| Founder / promoter| Established| Status| Notes
Power Mike International Promotions| Power Mike| 1976| Defunct| Founded by Power Mike.
Toroman International| Lt. Felix A. Ayinotu| 1977| Defunct| Co-promoter with Power Mike under Power Mike International Promotions prior to their separation in the 1980s. Operated from 1977 to 1982.
Tony Abass Promotions| Tony Lukman Abass| 1980s| Defunct| Operated from the 1980s to the early 2000s.
National Wrestling Alliance of Nigeria| Power Mike, Iron Saigon, MC Udoagwa, and others| 1991| Defunct|
Fancy SuperStar Wrestling| Uche Animoke (Uche Fancy)| 1998–2017| Defunct| Operated until Uche Animoke left Nigeria and relocated to Dubai.
HardCore Wrestling Club| Patrick Ofolomah (Afro-De-Giant)| 2008–2014| Defunct| Ceased operations following the death of Patrick Ofolomah (Afro-De-Giant) in 2014.
Kicx Wrestling Entertainment| Mr Kicx| 2010–2018| Defunct| Operated until 2018.
Ultimate Pro Wrestling| PowerLee| 2014| Defunct| The promotion ceased operations following difficulties sustaining the promotion in Nigeria.
Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA)| Olusesan Olukoya| 4 February 2015| Active| Founded by Olusesan Olukoya.
SuperHardCore Wrestling Club| Chinedu Akata| 2016| Active| Formed through a coalition involving the Hardcore Wrestling Club and Fancy SuperStar Wrestling.
African Professional Wrestling Commission (APWC)| Kwabena Nana, Fidelis Kene Chiekezie, and others| 2019| Active| Founded by Kwabena Nana, Fidelis Kene Chiekezie, and others.
ATTACK! Pro Wrestling Nigeria| Alliance with ATTACK! Pro Wrestling| 2019| Active| Founded under the APWC.
Wrestlemap Nigeria| Bryan Anderson| 2020–2024| Defunct| Ceased operations in 2024.
Gold Wrestling Association| John O. Uche| 2022| Defunct| Ceased operations after a period of activity.
Anthony Bolaji Oni (Wrestling Promotions)| Anthony Bolaji Oni| 1974–1990s| Defunct| Founded by Anthony Bolaji Oni who was considered father of Amateur Wrestling in Nigeria.
Dadison-Hawk International Promotions| Dadison-Hawk| 1980s–late 1990s| Defunct| Founder Dadison-Hawk.
Nigerian Wrestling Board of Control| Nigerian Govt to regulate Wrestling| 1975–mid 2000s| (comatose)| (former governing body)
Nigerian Wrestling Federation (N.W.F.)| National Body| 1981–Present| Active| Governing Body of Wrestling in Nigeria (amateur and professional).
John Nebeolisa Promotions| John Nebolisa| 1980s to 1990s| (defunct)| Founded by John Nebolisa.
Tummy International Promotions| Tummy| 1970s to 90s| Defunct| Ceased operations in 1990s.
List of some Professional Wrestlers under Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF)
1. Afro De Giant (Imo)
2. Alexander De Queen (Nnobi)
3. Aliking De Action Disaster (Kogi)
4. Ariba Swan
5. Bad Meat
6. Bambi Killer
7. Banilux Bulldog
8. Baruka
9. Ben Lion Heart (Akpo)
10. Big Ben Everest
11. Big Fish
12. Big Jim Obot
13. Big John Paul
14. Black Heritage
15. Black Tiger (Enugu)
16. Captain Dunga (Kwara)
17. Commando (Enugu)
18. Dan Ko
19. Dangerous Angle (Neni)
20. De Afrika Undertaker
21. De Hardman (Abia)
22. De Miser
23. Dee Man
24. Dee Squeezer (Nimo)
25. Eagle De Great Nail
26. Elephando Bassey (Calabar)
27. Emeka Super (Ogbunike)
28. Escape De Chain (Obosi)
29. Executioner (Awkuzu)
30. Eyes of the Gods (Calabar)
31. Fred Roderick
32. God's kid
33. Golden Power
34. Great Obeche
35. High Tension
36. Hitman Chuks
37. Holy Cross
38. Hot Tempo
39. Hulk Milo Macho
40. Ije White
41. Ikenga Red Dragon (Imo)
42. Iron Becky
43. Iron Bone Erejeje
44. Iron Fineface
45. Iron Man
46. Iron Saigun (Utuh Nnewi)
47. Iron Scatter
48. John Bruce (Owerri)
49. Jimmy Palms (Delta)
50. Jimmy Palms Junior
51. Joelas
52. Kapoorman
53. Kilimanjaro
54. Lady Bumi
55. Lady Jossy
56. Lady Joy (Jos)
57. License-To-Kill (Calabar)
58. Lion Man (Awka)
59. LT Hammer
60. Mad Cobra
61. Major Ariba
62. Malaysia Wolf (Enugu)
63. Marris Atula (Edo)
64. MC Original (Alor)
65. Power Mike
66. Mike Bamidele
67. Mighty Man (Delta)
68. Mighty Progress
69. Monkey Man
70. Mosendo Okpala
71. Mr Kicx (Calabar)
72. Mr Olympia
73. Mr Sharpman
74. Mysterio 619 (Nsukka)
75. Nightmare
76. OC Muzeze
77. Orji De Killer (Obosi)
78. Over Heat
79. Paulo
80. Philip Tiger (Enugu)
81. Power Lee
82. Power Uti (Delta)
83. Power Vic
84. Powerful Okoko
85. Rasman Iron (Imo)
86. Red Tiger (Ebonyi)
87. Ring Marshal
88. Rocky N (Abia)
89. Sajoman (Imo)
90. Sakabura
91. Silent Tiger
92. Stone Breaker (Imo)
93. Stone Coder
94. Strong Bone
95. Strong De Danger
96. Stubborn Headache
97. Stylish J (Orumba)
98. Super Apama
99. Super Billy Akashili
100. Super Hercules
101. Super Junior
102. Super Rosco
103. Superman Ikechukwu
104. Sunny King
105. Sunny Wonder
106. Terror Kid
107. Tessy Dee
108. Tiger Fist
109. Tina Terror
110. Tony Destroyer
111. U.S.A Bing
112. Uche Fancy
113. Ultimate Commander (Abia)
114. Unbeatable Akidi (Nando)
115. Unbreakable (Ebonyi)
116. Virgo Leo
117. Wil Mascaras
118. Wonderful Kamala
119. Young Angel (Enugu)
120. Young Batista
121. Young Power Mike
122. Young Stamina (Okija)
123. Young Warrior
124. Zion Lion
125. Super Sokari Soberekon (a.k.a super de black power) (Ijaw)
126. Captain Sale Mamman (rtd)(a.k.a Maman Zaria) (Kaduna)
127. Wonderful Sholly
128. Big Daddy
129. Super Armstrong
130. Ladi African Tiger
131. Abbey City
132. Proving Mohammed
133. John Killer Kolowaski
134. Bob Kirkwood
135. Silver Power
136. Man Mountain
137. Pat-Von
138. Superfly Black Saula
139. Giant E
140. Iron Kin Kin
141. Uti the Baptist
142. The Young Elephant
143. Ajaloko the Giant
144. Super Natusa
145. Big Ben Everest
146. The Police Sergeant Slaughter
147. Super Natural Power
148. Tonny Tiger Jnr.
149. Miss Bola Domu
150. Miss Petty Belamo
151. Gabriel Ibaku "Machine Gun"
152. Big Balo
153. Timesman Udoh
154. Wicked Bone
155. Great Langudi
156. Superbilly Akashili
157. Sunny King of NIPOST
158. Emeka the Conquer Mixture
159. Power Jihad
160. Atlas Man Mountain
161. K.C. Adumekwe
162. Black Iroko
163. Magnificent Kurata (Cameroon)
List of Nigerian professional wrestling champions
Super Heavyweight
* Super Armstrong
* Big Daddy
* Mr. Kicx <2009
* Simon O. Umeh declares all titles vacant in 09.
* Afro Giant of Africa <2009
* Vacant on 14-06-08 when Afro passes away.
Heavyweight Title
* Big Daddy — Former NPWF Heavyweight Champion
* MC Original (Martin Chukwulobe Udoagwa) — Former NPWF Heavyweight Champion
* De Great Olympia (Christopher Columbus Madogwe) — Former NPWF Heavyweight Champion
* De Mighty Man (Happy Egu Okolo) — AIWF Africa Heavyweight Champion; Former NPWF Heavyweight Champion
* Michel Noudem (Le Matriqueur) — PWA Heavyweight Champion
* L'Animal (Alain Taso) — Former PWA AIWF World Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Champion
* Michael Beadle — AIWF World Heavyweight Champion
* Ladi the African Tiger (Oba James Oladipo Buremoh) — Former World Wrestling Heavyweight Champion
* Tony Destroyer (Anthony Nwabueze) — Former African Wrestling Council (AWC) Super Heavyweight Champion
* Humphrey Buffalo — PWA African Super Heavyweight Champion
* Cedric Talla — Former African Professional Wrestling Champion
Junior Heavyweight Title
* Power Uti <1985–1992
* Sonny Wonder <1992
Light Heavyweight Title
* Proving Mohammed <2008
* Holds title until 08; Simon O. Umeh declares all titles vacant in 09.
* Kirikou — AIWF Africa Light Heavyweight Champion
* Sunny Wonder (Sunday Oluwayemi) — Former NPWF African Light Heavyweight Champion
* Mr. Sharpman (Augustine Okafor) — PWA Light Heavyweight Champion
* Angus Emeadi (Executioner) — Former African Wrestling Organization (AWO) Light Heavyweight Champion
Middleweight Title
* Iron Saigun (Simon O. Umeh) <1985
* [...]
* Wil Mascaras (Williams Ehidiamen) <1992
* [...]
* Monkeyman
* Ariba Swan <2008
* Holds title until 08; Simon O. Umeh declares all titles vacant in 09.
* Iron Fineface (Festus Obidiaze) — Former NPWF African Middleweight Champion
Welterweight Title
* Abbey City <1985
Women's Title
* Stuborn Headache <1995
* Ring Marshall <1996-01
* Tina Terror <2008
* Holds title until 08; Simon O. Umeh declares all titles vacant in 09.
Other Champions
* Alain Noudem — Former PWA World Professional Wrestling Champion
References
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2. "NPWF honours Eze Njoku, calls for government support for professional wrestling". The Sun. 19 August 2026.
3. Obianeri, Ikenna (2026-01-06). "'We'll produce another world wrestling champion'". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
4. "The history of Power Mike". Historical Nigeria. 13 August 2026.
5. "FULL HISTORY: Power Mike, The African Strongest Man Who Ruled The World". Retrieved 2026-08-12.
6. "World pro wrestling talents to storm Nigeria for the federation's 40th anniversary celebration in Lagos". WrestleMap. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
7. "Newly Elected Wrestling Federation President Pledges To Elevate Wrestling - News Agency Of Nigeria". News Agency of Nigeria. 2025-10-27. Archived from the original on 2025-11-03. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
8. Admin (2025-10-08). "Customs Partners Nigerian Wrestling Federation to Boost Youth Empowerment, Sports Tourism". Daily Insight Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
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10. "History of Nigeria Pro Wrestling Federation & Promoters: Wrestling in Nigeria". Retrieved 2026-08-12.
11. "Afro De Giant (Wrestler) Biography, Pro Wrestling in Onitsha". Throwback Times. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
12. "Pro Wrestling Africa". Pro Wrestling Africa. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
13. Report, Agency (2025-05-13). "Atula vows to revive wrestling through veterans' initiative". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
14. Martins, Ameh (2020-01-14). "OKPALA, Michael (Power Mike)". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
15. Saalbach, Axel. "Mike Bamidele - Facts @ Wrestlingdata.com". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
16. "REMEMBERING MIKE BAMIDELE, FORGOTTEN NIGERIAN UNDEFEATED WORLD CHAMPION". WrestleMap. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
17. Okogba, Emmanuel (2017-05-31). "Tony Destroyer: I want to conquer the Commonwealth". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
18. Nation, The (2014-04-13). "Ultimate Commander commiserates with US, Warrior's family". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
19. "ULTIMATE COMMANDER STAKES WORLD TITLE". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
20. "Wrestling: Ultimate Commander Ready To Defend World Title - P.M. News". Retrieved 2026-08-13.
21. Udeajah, Gordi (2025-12-20). "Ultimate commander receives masters philanthropy personality of the year award". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
22. Kasali, Kazeem (2025-08-26). "Abians Celebrate Former Wrestling Champion Osita 'Ultimate Commander' Offor". Trending News. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
Categories: Entertainment companies established in 1981; 1981 establishments in Nigeria; Sports governing bodies in Nigeria; Wrestling in Africa.
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