Oby Edoga-Solaja
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| Born | 11 May 1962 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | Nigeria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Badminton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event | Women's singles & doubles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BWF profile | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Obiageli Solaja (née Edoga; born 11 May 1962), also known as Obiageli Olorunsola is a Nigerian badminton player.[2]
Career
Solaja studied at Queen's school in Enugu.[3] She was coached by Unyanwa, a retired player when she was still an emerging prospect. She represented the Anambra state of Nigeria in multiple sports festivals held in 1977, 1979 and 1981.
She is a multiple times African champion and ten-times national champion between 1986 and 1996. She and Kayode Akinsanya became the first ever Nigerian badminton players to play at the Olympic Games in 1996, with whom she played in the mixed doubles discipline. She also played in the women's singles discipline. She won 2019 African women in badminton award. After her retirement, she worked as a coach and later as an administrator. She also is a board member of Badminton Federation of Nigeria.[4][5]
Achievements
African Championships
Women's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria | Dayo Oyewusi | Gold | |
| 1996 | National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria | Olamide Toyin Adebayo | Gold |
Women's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria | Dayo Oyewusi | C. Olua Y. Oni |
Gold | |
| 1994 | University of Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
Bisi Tiamiyu | Bronze | ||
| 1996 | National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria | Olamide Toyin Adebayo | J. Abioye C. Emeribe |
Gold |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria | Tamuno Gibson | Jacques Foo Kune Cathy Foo Kune |
Gold | |
| 1996 | National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria | Kayode Akinsanya | Olamide Toyin Adebayo Wasiu Ogunseye |
Gold |
IBF International
Women's singles
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Mauritius International | Martine de Souza | Runner-up | |
| 1995 | Nigeria International | Olamide Toyin Adebayo | Winner |
Women's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Nigeria International | I. Owolabi | Bukola Bakreen Grace Edwards |
6–15, 7–15 | Runner-up |
| 1991 | Mauritius International | Dayo Oyewusi | Martine de Souza Vandanah Seesurun |
15–12, 8–15, 3–15 | Runner-up |
| 1991 | Kenya International | Dayo Oyewusi | Martine de Souza Vandanah Seesurun |
15–10, 9–15, 18–17 | Winner |
| 1995 | Nigeria International | Olamide Toyin Adebayo | J. Abioye Kuburat Mumini |
Winner |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Mauritius International | Tamuno Gibson | Agarawu Tunde Dayo Oyewusi |
15–6, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1991 | Kenya International | Sesan Gbajobi | Vijai Maini Naila Valani |
Winner | |
| 1995 | Nigeria International | Kayode Akinsanya | Danjuma Fatauchi Olamide Toyin Adebayo |
Winner |
References
- ^ "Olympian Solaja lifts badminton in Anambra". The Nation (Nigeria). 20 August 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ^ "Obiageli Olorunsola". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ^ Onwuegbuna, Dan (20 November 2025). "Why Obiageli Edoga Solaja is reviving badminton in the south east". Sports Village Square. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ^ "Nigeria's Oby Solaja Wins African Badminton Award". Daily Asset. 26 April 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ^ "Oby Solaja donates badminton equipment to Anambra Sports Commission". The Sun (Nigeria). 19 August 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2026.