Mrs. Joseph secured the prestigious position during the 2026 ISF General Assembly held on Tuesday, July 21, in Belgrade, Serbia, where delegates from 82 member countries converged to deliberate on the future of school sports and elect new continental leaders. A total of 79 delegates participated in the voting process.
Her victory represents a watershed moment not only for Nigeria but for the African continent. She becomes the first Nigerian ever elected to the office, the first African woman to occupy the position, and the first female in the history of the International School Sport Federation to serve as Continental President for Africa.
The landmark achievement has been widely celebrated as a testament to Nigeria’s growing prominence in international school sports administration and its unwavering commitment to the development of grassroots and youth sports across Africa.
Stakeholders in the education and sports sectors have described Mrs Joseph’s election as a well-deserved recognition of her years of dedicated service, visionary leadership, and relentless efforts in advancing school sports development in Nigeria and beyond.
Reacting to the historic feat, the Nigeria School Sport Federation described the election as a proud milestone for the nation, expressing confidence that Mrs Joseph’s wealth of experience and passion for youth development would usher in a new era of progress for school sports across the continent.
In a congratulatory statement signed by the Secretary-General of the NSSF, Dr. Oba Funsho Usman, the federation applauded Mrs Joseph for attaining the continental leadership role and assured her of the unwavering support of the federation’s National Executive Committee, management, staff, state coordinators, and millions of Nigerian student-athletes.
The federation further expressed optimism that her tenure would foster stronger collaboration among African nations, expand opportunities for young athletes, and elevate the standard of school sports through innovative programmes and strategic partnerships.
Mrs Joseph’s emergence is expected to further strengthen Africa’s voice within the International School Sport Federation while positioning Nigeria as a leading force in shaping policies and initiatives that promote talent discovery, youth empowerment, and educational development through sports.
Her election is regarded as a source of national pride and a defining moment that reinforces Nigeria’s growing reputation as a hub for excellence in international sports leadership.
