Top-ranked Nigerian tennis players Yusuf Abubakar and Ohunene Yakubu won the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the Merit Tennis Open 2025, held at the National Stadium tennis courts in Surulere, Lagos.

Abubakar defeated Daniel Adeleye, the current No. 1 men’s singles player, to claim the ₦500,000 prize, while Adeleye earned ₦250,000 as runner-up. In the women’s singles, Yakubu overcame Bright Emmanuel, securing a ₦500,000 top prize with Emmanuel taking ₦250,000.

The tournament, organized by Merit Petroleum Nigeria Limited in partnership with Mainland Tennis Club, also featured junior and wheelchair tennis events. In the junior category, Issa Yahya beat Nathaniel Aluko, while Alex Adewale and Chituru Nwaozuzu won the men’s and women’s wheelchair singles titles, earning ₦400,000 each.

Speaking at the event, Merit Petroleum CEO Tokunbo Onasanya highlighted the company’s commitment to promoting local talent and inclusivity in sports, emphasizing equitable rewards across all categories.

Mainland Tennis Club President Tochukwu Adino praised the initiative, noting that the tournament provided a platform for nurturing young talent, including former ball boys who have now become competitive players. He called for increased corporate support for grassroots tennis, describing it as a vital tool for youth empowerment.

Wheelchair tennis champions also used the platform to highlight the challenges faced by para-sports athletes, emphasizing the need for better sponsorship, equipment, and infrastructure to compete internationally.

The Merit Tennis Open is set to become a fixture in the Nigeria Tennis Federation calendar, reflecting the growing emphasis on inclusivity and youth development in Nigerian sports.

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