By Dorcas Francis Koji
Team Nigeria is set for an ambitious campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, with the National Sports Commission (NSC) targeting a record-breaking 20 gold medals as the multi-sport event officially gets underway.
A contingent of 72 Nigerian athletes will compete in 10 sporting disciplines during the Games, with officials confident the team can surpass the country’s previous best performance of 12 gold medals recorded at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The athletes concluded an intensive three-week high-performance training camp in Aberdeen before moving into the Games Village in Glasgow ahead of the opening ceremony. The NSC believes the extensive preparation has positioned Team Nigeria to challenge for medals across several events.
Nigeria’s medal quest begins with its para powerlifting team, a discipline that has consistently delivered podium finishes at major international competitions.
Leading the charge is team captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, the reigning Commonwealth champion, two-time Paralympic gold medallist, four-time world champion and multiple world record holder. She will be aiming to successfully defend the title she claimed in Birmingham four years ago.
Joining her is reigning world champion Rita Ferdinand, who heads into the Games in exceptional form after equalling the women’s world record with a 154kg lift at the African Open Championships in Algeria while also setting a new African record in the women’s up to 79kg category.
On the athletics track, Nigeria’s hopes will largely rest on world record holder Tobi Amusan and sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi, both of whom have enjoyed outstanding seasons.
Amusan is targeting an unprecedented third consecutive Commonwealth Games women’s 100m hurdles title, having previously won gold in 2018 and 2022. The 29-year-old has rediscovered her finest form this year, claiming Diamond League victories in Rabat and Paris, defending her African title and securing qualification for the Diamond League Final after consistently clocking a season’s best of 12.28 seconds.
Ajayi also arrives in Glasgow as one of Nigeria’s brightest medal prospects. The Auburn University star has enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning both the NCAA Indoor 60m and NCAA Outdoor 100m titles before equalling Nigeria’s national 100m record of 9.84 seconds for the third time this year.
His latest achievement came at the London Diamond League, where he defeated reigning world champion Oblique Seville, having previously achieved the same feat at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene.
Nigeria, however, suffered a setback ahead of the Games following the withdrawal of long jump star Ese Brume due to injury. The Commonwealth champion will miss the opportunity to defend the title she won with a Games record leap of 7.00 metres.
In her absence, Ruth Usoro has been drafted into the squad and will compete alongside Prestina Ochonogor in the women’s long jump.
Another strong medal contender is African record holder Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, who will represent Nigeria in the men’s shot put. The two-time African champion remains one of the continent’s leading throwers after setting the African record of 22.10 metres.
Nigeria’s boxing team will be spearheaded by middleweight Patricia Mbata, who switched international allegiance before winning gold at the African Games. She earned her Commonwealth Games place after defeating reigning national champion Blessing Orakwe during the selection trials and is set to make her Games debut.
To motivate the athletes, the National Sports Commission has introduced one of the country’s most generous welfare packages for an international competition.
Under the leadership of NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade, athletes have received improved camping allowances, enhanced travel support and attractive performance bonuses.
Gold medallists will receive rewards worth up to $8,000, while every athlete and official was also provided ₦500,000 in travel support before departing for Scotland.
Olopade challenged Team Nigeria to justify the significant investment made in their preparations, urging the athletes to repay the nation’s confidence with podium finishes.
Sprinter Favour Ashe praised the quality of the Aberdeen training camp and confirmed that all camp allowances had been paid in full, sentiments that have also been echoed by former Olympic and world wrestling champion Daniel Igali, who commended the improved welfare arrangements.
Since making its Commonwealth Games debut in Auckland in 1950, Nigeria has grown into one of Africa’s most successful sporting nations at the event.
The country has accumulated 271 medals, comprising 82 gold, 84 silver and 105 bronze, and will be aiming to add significantly to that tally during the Glasgow Games.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 23 to August 2, bringing together approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth Games Associations competing for 215 gold medals across 11 sports, with Scotland hosting the event for the fourth time.
With a blend of experienced champions and exciting young talents, Team Nigeria heads into Glasgow determined to produce its most successful Commonwealth Games campaign yet.
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