Known across the Nigerian polo circuit for her daring precision and formidable composure, Aisha Ahmad Suleiman has quietly but emphatically built a legacy that is rewriting gender expectations in one of the country’s most exclusive sporting circles. She has carved out a space that is entirely her own as one of Nigeria’s very few female polo players, she is not just participating in the game, she’s winning it.
From the rolling grass of the Fifth Chukker in Kaduna to the high-profile Lagos International Polo Tournament, Aisha has held her own against seasoned players, bagging multiple national trophies in the process.
“Polo isn’t just a game for me, it’s a statement. Every time I get on that horse, I’m reminding girls from the North, from conservative backgrounds like mine, that it’s possible.”
A native of Kano State, Aisha’s journey into polo began as a quiet rebellion against limitation. What started as riding lessons in her teens gradually transformed into competitive passion. Her rise was not without resistance. Conservative expectations, funding struggles, and a lack of visible role models made her ascent steep. But she stayed on course, propelled by an unshakable belief in her ability to redefine what is possible for women in sports, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
“Growing up, I didn’t see women in boots and helmets,” she recalls. “Now, when little girls see me play, they ask how they can learn. That means everything.”
Aisha’s playing style has been described by fellow players as both strategic and intuitive, a blend of speed, stamina, and an almost preternatural understanding of the game. Off the field, she balances her athletic career with advocacy work focused on gender inclusion in sport. She regularly mentors girls in rural communities and partners with youth sports initiatives that promote equestrian education.
While she’s garnered praise from across the country, Aisha remains grounded. Her goals extend far beyond trophies.
“I want to see a day when seeing a Nigerian woman on horseback with a mallet isn’t news. It should be normal,” she says. “We’ve come a long way, but we’re not there yet.”
Her presence in the sport is already a symbol of cultural evolution. And with every match she plays, every trophy she raises, Aisha Ahmad Suleiman is proving that tradition and trailblazing can, indeed, ride side by side.
