The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has hailed the appointment of Coach Ganiyat Adeduntan as head coach of the George Washington Revolutionaries women’s basketball team. The announcement, made by NiDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa, marks a first for a Nigerian coach in the program’s history.
At a press briefing in Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa described Adeduntan’s new role as “a watershed moment for Nigeria and the wider African community.” She praised the coach’s leadership, resilience, and commitment to excellence, calling her journey from Ibadan to Washington “an inspiration to young Nigerian women everywhere.”
“Coach Adeduntan embodies the spirit of hard work and determination,” Dabiri-Erewa said. “Her success on the international stage demonstrates the heights our talent can reach, and we at NiDCOM stand ready to support her as she builds on this remarkable achievement.”
Adeduntan returns to George Washington University after transforming Colgate University’s program. Under her guidance, the Raiders posted consecutive 20-win seasons and earned Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) berths in 2023–24 and 2024–25. Her previous stint as an assistant coach with the Revolutionaries saw her contribute to recruiting and player development that helped lay the foundation for the program’s resurgence.
A former standout player at George Washington, Adeduntan holds a PhD in Nursing and comes from a family steeped in public service. She is the daughter of Prince (Dr.) Azeez Adeduntan, a Harvard-trained cardiovascular surgeon and former Oyo State health commissioner.
NiDCOM has pledged ongoing support for Adeduntan and other Nigerians making waves abroad. “We celebrate her today,” Dabiri-Erewa concluded, “and look forward to watching her lead the Revolutionaries to new heights.”