Aisha Ahmad Suleiman: The Kaduna woman breaking barriers in polo

By Umar Idris Shuaibu

For many people, polo begins in childhood  around horses, riding grounds and families already familiar with equestrian sport. For Aisha Ahmad Suleiman, it began differently.

Born on December 17, 2001, in Kaduna North, Kaduna State, Aisha is an Ebira woman with family roots in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State. The daughter of Malam Ahmed Adeku Suleiman and Hajia Hauwa Bello, she grew up in Kaduna, where she attended her nursery, primary and secondary schools.

There was, however, little in her upbringing to suggest that she would eventually pursue polo. She had no family background in horse riding, and horses were not part of her childhood.

That changed in 2017, when, at the age of 15, her sister’s husband took her to watch the Kada Fest polo tournament at the Kaduna Polo Club.

Fascinated by the speed, skill and majesty of the horses, Aisha took her first-ever horse ride that day. What began as a casual encounter soon became a determination to learn the sport.

From first ride to competitive polo

Following the experience, Aisha approached Husseini Muhammed, a beginner coach at the Kaduna Polo Club, who introduced her to the fundamentals of polo.

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She learned how to handle a horse, use the polo mallet and coordinate herself with the animal while moving at speed.

Her progress was rapid.

On December 17, 2017, Aisha made her first official competitive appearance in polo on her 16th birthday.

The moment marked a remarkable transition: the teenager who had first encountered polo as a spectator earlier that year was now competing on the field herself.

It was the beginning of a sporting journey that would take her from a complete newcomer to a recognised female presence in Northern Nigeria’s polo community.

Breaking into a male-dominated sport

Polo presented Aisha with challenges beyond learning to ride and compete.

As a young Muslim woman from Northern Nigeria entering a sport traditionally dominated by men, she encountered questions and discouragement from people who considered polo too dangerous or unsuitable for women.

Her own family was initially unaware of the extent of her involvement. Her father eventually discovered that she was playing after seeing her on television.

Over time, however, both parents came to support her sporting ambitions.

That support, combined with her determination, enabled Aisha to continue competing and developing her skills.

Making her mark with Kaduna polo club

Representing the Kaduna Polo Club, Aisha went on to compete for major trophies, including the Dantata and Sawoe Cup and Governor’s Cups.

Her emergence has also given her a distinctive place in women’s polo.

She has been described as one of the very few Black female polo players in the world and, at present, the only female polo player from Northern Nigeria.

Her significance lies not only in the competitions she has entered or the trophies associated with her career, but also in how far she has travelled from her starting point.

She was not born into a polo dynasty. She did not grow up riding horses. She discovered the sport as a teenager and deliberately chose to pursue it.

Balancing education and sport

Aisha has pursued her education alongside her sporting career.

She later moved to the Benin Republic for university studies, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from ESGT University.

Beyond polo and academics, she is an entrepreneur and professional photographer, giving her career dimensions outside the sporting arena.

Her experience in polo has also influenced her interest in creating opportunities for others.

Opening the door for other women

Through the Black Eesh Equestrian Academy, Aisha advocates greater participation by women and young people in equestrian sports.

The initiative reflects an important element of her own experience.

Aisha entered a sport that many people perceive as exclusive without coming from a family with an equestrian tradition. Her introduction to horses came at a public polo tournament, where curiosity quickly became ambition.

Her story therefore offers a different pathway into polo, based not on inheritance, but on discovery, determination and opportunity.

A journey that began with one ride

Aisha Ahmad Suleiman’s story is ultimately about more than polo.

In 2017, she arrived at the Kaduna Polo Club as a 15-year-old spectator. She took her first ride, became fascinated by the sport and sought out a coach.

By December 17 of that same year, she was competing on the day she turned 16.

Now 24 and approaching her 25th birthday on December 17, 2026, Aisha has spent nearly nine years developing her career in polo.

From that first encounter with a horse to competing among established polo players, her journey demonstrates how an unexpected experience can become a defining pursuit.

For Aisha, it started with one ride and a decision to see where it could take her.