Nigeria Customs Service edges closer to first volleyball title in seven years

Nigeria Customs Service has come much nearer to terminating a seven-year drought for the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League crown following a dominant win against the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The contest was held in Abuja on Tuesday, marking the concluding stage of the 2026 CGC Volleyball Premier League. Customs claimed the game without dropping a set, recording scores of 25–18, 25–22, and 25–22, which reinforced their standing in the men’s championship battle as the tournament nears its climax.

The previous holders dominated the first set but encountered tougher resistance from NSCDC in the subsequent two sets. Despite the increased pressure, the Customs team held their nerve to secure the straight-set victory. This result boosts their hopes of reclaiming the league crown, which they have not held for seven years. The team is now well placed ahead of the conclusion of the final phase, which is scheduled for Thursday.

Background

The 2026 CGC Volleyball Premier League features a competitive field of teams across both men’s and women’s categories. During the same timeframe, other men’s fixtures saw Defence Spikers overcome UCEM 3–0, while COAS Spikers secured a straight-set win against Kano Pillars. The Nigeria Correctional Service also delivered a strong performance, narrowly beating the Nigeria Police Force 3–2 in a five-set thriller, whereas Sunshine Spikers triumphed over Offa VC 3–1. The reigning champions, CNS Spikers, comprehensively defeated Life Camp VC 3–0.

In the women’s division, Nigeria Customs Service also excelled, claiming a 3–0 victory over Kada Emeralds. NSCDC overcame Anambra Queens by the same scoreline. Other results in the women’s division included a 3–1 victory for Fire Service over Excelsior VC, a 3–0 win for COAS Spikers against Benue Queens, and a 3–1 success for CNS Spikers over VIP Spikers. NAF Rockets also recorded a close 3–2 victory against Olalomi Royal Angels.

Why it matters

The outcome of the 2026 CGC Volleyball Premier League is significant for the participating agencies and their respective fan bases. For Nigeria Customs Service, the current campaign represents an opportunity to end a seven-year title drought, a period during which they have not claimed the league championship. The team’s performance in the final phase is critical to their ambitions of reclaiming the crown. The close scores in the latter sets of their match against NSCDC highlight the competitive nature of the league, where even former champions face stiff resistance from rivals such as the Security and Civil Defence Corps. The results from other matches indicate a tightly contested environment, with several teams, including the defending champions CNS Spikers and the Nigeria Correctional Service, remaining active in the competition. The final phase, concluding on Thursday, will determine the ultimate title holder, making the current standings and recent victories pivotal for the teams involved.

What happens next

The concluding phase of the 2026 CGC Volleyball Premier League is scheduled to wrap up on Thursday. Nigeria Customs Service will aim to maintain their momentum from the Tuesday victory over NSCDC to turn their latest performance into a long-awaited league triumph. The outcome of the remaining matches will determine the final standings in the men’s title race, with Customs currently in a strong position to secure the championship.