Glasgow 2026: Team Nigeria targets medal haul as Commonwealth Games begin Thursday

Team Nigeria is set to begin its quest for Commonwealth Games glory as the Glasgow 2026 Games officially get underway on Thursday after months of preparations and weeks of intensive high-performance training in Aberdeen, Scotland.

The Nigerian contingent has now settled into the Games Village following the conclusion of its final training camp, while the national 3×3 basketball team has arrived from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to complete the country’s delegation.

Nigeria’s medal campaign will officially begin on Friday, July 24, with the Para Powerlifting team expected to set the pace for what the National Sports Commission (NSC) hopes will be another successful outing.

Leading the challenge is Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, two-time Paralympic gold medallist, four-time world champion and multiple world record holder.

Fresh from successfully defending her Paralympic title in Paris, Oluwafemiayo will be aiming to retain the Commonwealth title she won in Birmingham and hand Nigeria an early gold medal.

Joining her is reigning world champion Rita Ferdinand, who heads into the Games in top form after equalling the women’s world record with a lift of 154kg while setting a new African record in the women’s up to 79kg category at the African Open Championships in Oran, Algeria.

On the athletics track, Nigeria will rely on one of the world’s fastest sprinters, Kayinsola Ajayi.

The Auburn University star has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, winning both the NCAA Indoor 60 metres and NCAA Outdoor 100 metres titles before equalling Nigeria’s national record of 9.84 seconds.

Ajayi also defeated reigning world champion Oblique Seville at both the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene and the London Diamond League to underline his status as one of the favourites heading into Glasgow.

World record holder Tobi Amusan will spearhead Nigeria’s challenge in the women’s 100m hurdles.

The two-time Commonwealth Games champion has returned to her best in 2026, claiming Diamond League victories in Rabat and Paris, where she clocked a season-best 12.28 seconds, while also securing another African title.

Amusan is now chasing a historic third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Nigeria’s hopes in the field events rest on African record holder Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, whose throw of 22.10 metres remains the continental record in the shot put.

The two-time African champion has consistently competed among the world’s elite and will be targeting another podium finish for Nigeria.

In boxing, Patricia Mbata will lead Nigeria’s medal pursuit after switching allegiance from Great Britain.

The African Games gold medallist secured her place in Team Nigeria after defeating national champion Blessing Orakwe during the national trials and now heads into her maiden Commonwealth Games seeking another major international title.

Team Nigeria also travels to Glasgow boosted by an enhanced welfare package introduced by the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade.

The reforms include improved daily allowances, increased camping allowances, enhanced travel support and upgraded medal incentives.

Gold medallists stand to receive up to $8,000 in combined rewards and performance bonuses, while silver and bronze medallists will also earn improved incentives.

In addition, every athlete and official received N500,000 as travel support, reflecting the Commission’s athlete-centred approach as Nigeria bids for another memorable Commonwealth Games campaign.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖