The 43-year-old defeated sole challenger Austin Edeze by 34 votes to 16 in elections held at Abuja Stadium.

His win over Edeze, who is the second vice president of United World Wrestling Africa, means he will serve a second four-year term.

"I believe we improved on the position we were in back in 2013," he told Nigeria's Guardian.

"My plan is for our wrestlers to win medals at every world and Olympic event. 

"By the time we meet our sponsorship targets, we hope to be one of the top 10 wrestling nations in the world, at least in one discipline of the sport within the next four years.

"I believe I have grown as an administrator in the last four years. 

"In spite of the few challenges, we are better placed as a federation to achieve a greater height in the sport."

Although born in Nigeria, Igali won the freestyle 69 kilograms Olympic title at Sydney 2000 while competing for Canada.

He remained in the country after the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria and sought refugee status, gaining citizenship in 1998.

In 1999 he won the World Championship title and in 2002 he added Commonwealth Games gold in Manchester.

Igali also spoke at the 2013 International Olympic Committee Session in Buenos Aires, when wrestling was restored to the sports programme after being axed.

"I want to produce our [Nigeria's] first Olympic medallist and world champion," Igali added.

"I believe we need to build a sustainable system with a healthy fan-base across the country. 

"I will like to see a league format competition system that will constantly keep our athletes in shape before the next competition. 

"It is my desire to ensure that we have functional wrestling associations in all the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital that are up and running."