Mabel Segun, the pioneering African table tennis figure and renowned literary figure, passed away on March 6, 2025, at the age of 95. Her family announced her death in an emotional statement, expressing genuine gratitude for her priceless contributions to sports, literature, and broadcasting. Segun's legacy as a trailblazer in Nigerian sports, particularly table tennis, is unparalleled.
Born on 18th February 1930, in Lagos, Nigeria, Mabel Segun was a pioneer who broke the barriers of gender in sports when the participation of women was practically an elusive dream in competitive African sport. Not only did she attain national and international recognition in table tennis, but she also broke the ice for generations of female players in what was then a man's sport.
Early Life and Introduction to Table Tennis
Segun's introduction to table tennis was in the early 1950s, a period when women competitors were typically excluded from serious competition in most African nations. Having grown up in a society that did not offer much opportunity for women to participate in sport, her early life of physical play and exercise was often overshadowed by the roles of women as homemakers. But Segun's passion for sport and determination to succeed was just the opposite of these traditions.
Her rise to table tennis began to take shape in 1954 when the Nigerian Table Tennis Federation included a female division in the National Singles Championships. The tournament would change Nigerian sports history. Mabel Segun's participation in this inaugural competition placed her among the first women in Nigeria to play at the highest level of table tennis.
Pioneering in Table Tennis
One well-established Nigerian historian of table tennis, Femi Olugbile, tells Segun's story of attainment in his work Ten Ahead. Olugbile writes of her being the first and foremost female to gain great amounts of publicity within Nigeria, putting her in a position at the forefront of Nigerian sports and foreign attention as well. Segun made a name for herself by competing in women's singles events during the National Singles Championships held in 1954.
While she lost the final to Mrs. Hunt, the wife of a famous expatriate player, Segun's achievement at reaching the final of this prestigeous competition was historic. She was the first indigenous Nigerian woman to do so in table tennis, a victory in itself. Even in losing, Segun's achievement in the sport was trailblazing, opening doors for future women sportsmen in Nigeria and across Africa.
Her involvement in this competition went a long way in encouraging young women to pursue the sport of table tennis, making it abundantly clear that women could excel in sports that were previously men's domains. Segun's involvement and success sent a deafening message that women could match their male counterparts in competition, both locally and internationally.
A Leader on and off the Table
Mabel Segun's own contribution to Nigerian sport extended well beyond the playing of table tennis. She was one of the first great women to be involved in promoting the development of sports in Nigeria and setting an example to so many young girls. Segun's example was most effective because it was an individual success by a woman at a time when no thought was given to women who sought sporting careers.
Her involvement in the sport was not limited to competition. Segun played a central role in the fight for women's involvement in table tennis, event organization, and equal treatment of female players. Her dedication to the sport and leadership brought Nigerian women's table tennis into the limelight, opening the door for generations of women to follow in her footsteps.
Segun's accomplishments also reached other fields. As a renowned author and broadcaster, she contributed to Nigeria's intellectual and cultural progress. Her broadcasting and literary achievements further established her as a formidable force in Nigerian society, and her pursuit of excellence was evident in all her endeavors. Segun's profile as a multidimensional individual who excelled on and off the table became an emblem of her legacy.
Legacy and Influence on Nigerian Sports
Mabel Segun's heritage in the development of women's sport in Nigeria endures even to this day. Her sports career as a table tennis player, among all the other records, has cemented a long-term legacy of the involvement of women in sports for competition. Segun's own legacy extends not only in table tennis success but also in her role as a mentor and as a pathfinder for women sportspeople in the generations ahead.
Segun's trajectory set the expectation of excellence as to what Nigerian sports could accomplish. Her existence has helped spur young women nationwide to pursue their sporting aspirations. Because of her efforts, table tennis in Nigeria was a woman-inclusive sport that ultimately provided opportunities for other women athletes to succeed.
The National Table Tennis Federation of Nigeria did credit Segun's worthy contribution to the sport, and often in mutual mention, referred to her as a key player in the growth of women's table tennis in Nigeria. Her trailblazing work in the sport laid a platform for the consideration of female players in the competitive sporting sector, both within and outside of Nigeria.
Today, Segun's legacy is remembered by the current generation of Nigerian female table tennis players, who drew inspiration from her determination and achievement. Female players who have followed in her footsteps continue to break new records and gain international recognition, further validating the importance of Segun's groundbreaking work to promote women's participation in sports.
Remembering Mabel Segun: A Legacy of Excellence
While Mabel Segun's relatives reminisce about her glorious life, they do not only remember her success on the sporting arena but also how she contributed to Nigerian culture. Segun's legacy as a champion of women's sport and her range of contributions to Nigeria's media and literary spheres are part of the enduring legacy she has. Her death on March 6, 2025, marks the end of an era for Nigerian athletics, but her legacy will continue to inspire generations of sports persons and individuals in every walk of life.
Segun's achievement as a trailblazer in women's table tennis is a powerful reminder of the necessity to break barriers and fight for inclusion in all aspects of life. Her contribution to the history of Nigerian sports cannot be overstated, and her legacy will forever remain part of Nigeria's sporting and cultural heritage.
Honoring Segun's Legacy in the Contemporary Sports Era
There has been a stunning improvement in Nigeria's women's sports over the last few years, with their players doing superbly well in athletics, basketball, football, and table tennis, of course. Nigerian female sportspeople are more prominent now than ever before, with growing government, private sector, and media attention and support. This success is a testament to the efforts of pioneers like Mabel Segun, whose efforts to open doors for women in competitive sport set the stage for current success.
Organizations such as the Nigerian Table Tennis Federation remain committed to keeping Segun's memory alive by advocating for women's involvement in the sport at all levels, from grassroots competition to international competitions. Segun's name will forever be linked with the struggle for women's sports rights, and her legacy will be remembered for decades to come.
For all those who still stand up for women in sport, Segun's tale is still a beacon of hope and an emblem of strength. She demonstrated that it was possible to defy social conventions and create space for women in sport. Nigerian women sports persons today take Segun's torch and in all they do, demonstrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance that Segun was in every aspect of her being.
Conclusion
Mabel Segun's legacy is one of excellence, passion, and resilience. The first female Nigerian to attain international status in table tennis, she defied the norms of her time, proving that women could excel at sports that had long been the domain of men. Her achievements in table tennis, journalism, and broadcasting are an inspiration to generations, and her impact on Nigerian society continues to be felt today.
Looking back on her life and legacy, we honor a woman who broke glass ceilings and knocked down doors for generations to come. Mabel Segun will always be remembered as an unapologetic trailblazer in the history of Nigerian sport and beyond.
To find out more about how Mabel Segun contributed to Nigerian sport, read The Guardian's obituary for her legacy or The Nigerian Table Tennis Federation's tribute.