Team Nigeria Targets 20 Gold Medals at Commonwealth Games

Team Nigeria has set an ambitious target of winning 20 gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games as 72 athletes begin their campaign in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Nigerian contingent will compete in 10 sports, including athletics, boxing, judo, weightlifting, swimming, para-powerlifting, track cycling, 3×3 basketball, 3×3 wheelchair basketball and para-athletics, with the Games running from July 23 to August 2.

Leading Nigeria’s medal quest are world record holder Tobi Amusan, sprint sensation Kanyinsola Ajayi, African shot put record holder Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, reigning Commonwealth para-powerlifting champion Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Rita Ferdinand, who recently equalled the women’s world record with a 154kg lift.

Team Nigeria Targets 20 Gold Medals at Commonwealth Games Credit: Channels TV

Patricia Mbata will make her Commonwealth Games debut after switching allegiance to Nigeria, while Ruth Usoro replaces long jump star Ese Brume.

President Bola Tinubu charged the athletes to surpass Nigeria’s record-breaking performance at the last Games, urging them to “fight for every second, every metre, every medal.”

To boost morale, the National Sports Commission introduced improved welfare packages, including higher camping allowances, better travel support and enhanced performance bonuses.

Gold medallists will receive up to $8,000 in rewards, while each athlete and official was also given a ₦500,000 travel allowance ahead of the competition.

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