WWS Appoints Mary Onyali MFR as Head of Nigeria Operations

WWS Appoints Mary Onyali MFR as Head of Nigeria Operations

By Ohis Asein |faksmedia.com

South Africa and America based World Wide Scholarships (WWS) has appointed former Nigerian sprint queen and Olympic medallist Mary Onyali MFR as the organisation’s Head of Nigeria Operations.

The appointment brings one of Nigeria’s most respected athletics figures into a key role in an organisation committed to identifying, developing and connecting African sporting and academic talents with international opportunities.

WWS is a global sports, academics and arts organisation with its operations based in United State of America and South Africa. The organisation specialises in connecting talented African students and athletes with high schools, colleges and universities abroad, particularly through sports and academic scholarship opportunities.

Onyali's appointment is expected to strengthen WWS's presence in Nigeria, particularly in the identification and development of young athletes who have the potential to secure scholarships and pursue sporting careers while obtaining quality education.

The former Nigerian sprint star has remained actively involved in youth development and athletics after her illustrious competitive career. In April 2026, Onyali urged young athletes to maintain a balance between sports and education, stressing that academic excellence remains important for athletes seeking scholarship opportunities abroad.

Her philosophy aligns closely with the mission of WWS, which describes its core objective as “Empowering talent in Africa” and says it has connected more than 1,000 students with educational opportunities.

With Onyali now taking responsibility for Nigeria, WWS is expected to deepen its talent identification programme across the country and provide more Nigerian athletes with access to international scholarship pathways.

The organisation already offers opportunities in athletics, football, swimming, basketball, rugby, tennis and several other sports, while also supporting academic and artistic scholarship pathways.

The appointment could therefore mark an important new chapter for both WWS and Nigeria's emerging sporting talents, particularly at a time when structured pathways from grassroots sports to international universities are becoming increasingly important.

With a legendary Nigerian athlete now leading its operations in the country, expectations will be high for WWS to discover the next generation of Nigerian stars and help them combine sporting excellence with quality education.