On Wednesday, January 1, 2025, Olympic gold medallist and two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at his Lagos residence.
As a token of goodwill, Joshua presented President Tinubu with an autographed boxing glove, inscribed with the message: “To the Great Asiwaju Jagaban Borgu of Africa, Bola A. Tinubu.” The Presidency’s official X handle shared photos from the visit, with a caption that read: “President Bola Tinubu receiving an autographed glove from former World Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Joshua, when he visited the President at his residence in Lagos.”
The visit highlighted Joshua’s strong connections to Nigeria. Later, the boxing star was hosted by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun at the governor’s office in Abeokuta. During the meeting, Governor Abiodun revealed plans to build a state-of-the-art Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring in the state.
Additionally, Governor Abiodun announced that Joshua would have a special role in the upcoming Gateway Games National Sports Festival, where he will light the festival torch in May 2025.
