By Francis Iberi
Editor: Tokunbo Dada
When one thinks of Nigerian men’s table tennis, the legendary names of Segun Toriola and Quadri Aruna immediately come to mind. Now, a new sensation has emerged, daring to dream and poised to succeed them. At just 14 years old, Matthew Kuti has achieved milestones that few can even aspire to. Known for his unpredictable and unorthodox style of play, Kuti has rapidly become a fan favorite.
His passion for table tennis was ignited by his father, a table tennis coach who encouraged him to join training sessions and from that moment, Kuti never looked back. His rise began in Lagos, where he first gained national recognition by winning the Cadet and Mini-Cadet championships.
His talent soon transcended national borders. In 2022, Kuti gained international prominence by winning both the U-11 and U-13 boys’ singles titles at the WTT Youth Contender tournament in Cairo, Egypt. He further solidified his regional dominance by winning the 2024 West Africa Table Tennis Championship in Lomé, Togo, and made history a year later by becoming the first West African player to successfully defend the men’s singles title at the 2025 West African Table Tennis Championships in Lagos.
These achievements have not gone unnoticed. Kuti recently climbed six places to a global ranking of 194th, a testament to his consistency and resilience. He has now surpassed his compatriot Olajide Omotayo to become Nigeria’s second-highest-ranked male table tennis player.
Despite his remarkable progress, his elimination in the Round of 128 at the 2025 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Doha, Qatar, served as a crucial lesson. It shows that while talent is undeniable, it is never enough. Longevity in sports demands unwavering hard work, discipline, and dedication. Matthew Kuti possesses the talent, and with continued commitment, he has the potential to become a lasting force in the world of table tennis.
