Nigeria Pro Wrestling Federation celebrates 40th anniversary
Yesterday, September 27, 2021, marked the 40th anniversary of the Nigeria Pro Wrestling Federation! The federation, which originally used the name Nigeria Wrestling Federation but added the pro to avoid confusion with the country’s amateur wrestling body that uses the same name, was founded in September 27, 1981. While we don’t have very many more details available to us, our resident historian and expert Olusesan Olukoya (who is also the director of publicity for the NPWF) surely does. If you’d like more information about the history of the NPWF, feel free to reach out to Olusesan on Facebook, as he has covered the NPWF for nearly its entire existence.
For those of us that don’t have as much insight into the Nigerian pro wrestling scene, it almost feels hard to believe that one promotion has been operating in the country consistently for the last forty years. Firstly, because forty years is a very long time in the world of pro wrestling and secondly, because most of the world outside of Nigeria hasn’t heard much about it besides a couple stories from the likes of Mick Foley or the Von Erichs that had travelled to the country in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.
It is my sincere hope that with new resources like our site and growing awareness of the Nigerian and African pro wrestling scene that the rest of the world might have more recognition of and insight into the next 40 years of the NPWF. The country is the home to some talented pro wrestlers, including some very talented, passionate, and dedicated young wrestlers who, if the cards land right, could end up performing on big stages around the world in years to come.
The NPWF has indicated that they will hold a 40th anniversary event in Lagos in October. Once we have more details on the event, we will be sure to share them with you here on WrestleMap!
So please join us in wishing the Nigeria Pro Wrestling Federation a happy 40th anniversary! The photos below come to us courtesy of Olusesan Olukoya and the Nigeria Pro Wrestling Federation!
Flyer from a 1997 NPWF event
Flyer from a 2010 NPWF event
MC Original defending his title against Young Angel in Enugu Stste, 2006
Flyer from 2012 BRF Wrestlemania event
NPWF wrestlers, circa 2012
Flying Danko without his mask with some of his winnings
Michael Kovac and Chris “Bambikiller” Raaber wrestled events in the NPWF in the early 2010’s
NPWF talent on display
Present day NPWF stars helping to celebrate the one year anniversary of WrestleMap in July 2021
The current NPWF Heavyweight Champion, Mighty Man
Aliking De Action Disaster poses with his title belts and newly won National Security, Peace and Unity trophy from the 2021 National Security, Peace and Unity event
Alexandra The Queen celebrates her first victory as a pro wrestler at NPWF’s Mock Wrestling Championship in Lagos in April, 2021
Mick Foley from his well-documented visit to Nigeria
The first Nigerian pro wrestling world champion, Power Mike
Presentation of a title belt to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state prior to BRF Wrestlemania
A press conference from the early days of Nigerian pro wrestling, 1979
Pioneer pro wrestling talent of the NPWF including Tony Destroyer (far left)
