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President Bola Tinubu has charged Nigerian athletes competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to compete with courage, honour and integrity, urging them to win clean and uphold the nation’s values.
The president gave the charge on Thursday through his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a Presidential Send-Off Ceremony at the State House, Abuja, prior to the team’s departure for Scotland.
“I want you to compete with courage, honour, and integrity. Win clean. Let every medal you earn reflect your commitment, your dedication, and the values that define our great nation. Winning is important, but winning clean is more important. Medals are valuable, but integrity is priceless,” Tinubu said.
“The glory of victory is only complete when it is achieved through discipline, fairness, hard work and respect for the rules.”
He reminded the athletes of Nigeria’s experience at the previous Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where the country faced doping violations, saying the error must not be repeated.
“I know what happened last time in Birmingham, perhaps an error of judgement, and nothing like that will happen this time around, and that experience must be a lesson for all of us,” the president said.
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening sports development and ensuring strict adherence to the rules. He said the government had taken decisive steps to strengthen anti-doping systems.
“Our administration has taken decisive steps to strengthen the anti-doping systems in the country. Last year, I assented to the Nigerian Anti-Doping Act, which provides a stronger legal and institutional framework for clean sports in Nigeria.
“Today, the board of the Nigerian Anti-Doping Centre has also been inaugurated, and this shows a clear statement of our administration’s commitment to clean sports, athlete protection, international compliance and the credibility of Nigerian sports.
“We are determined as a country to build a sports system where our athletes can succeed without suspicion, where our victories are respected, and where Nigeria is known not only for talent, but also for discipline, integrity and excellence,” he said.
The president urged the athletes to remain focused under pressure, respect their opponents, and carry the Nigerian flag with pride.
“Our target is clear. We want Team Nigeria to surpass its best-ever Commonwealth Games performance. I have every confidence that you possess the talent, determination, and character to achieve this historic feat,” the President stated.
Team Nigeria was led to the State House by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, alongside Director-General Bukola Olopade and National Institute for Sports Director-General Philip Shuaibu.
Dikko thanked the president for approving the send-off and praised his administration’s unprecedented support for sports development.
“Since the beginning of your administration, Nigerian sports have received a level of attention, support and policy direction that is overwhelming and unprecedented,” Dikko said.
Olopade also commended the president, noting that private-sector investment in sports was growing. He added that sportswear company PUMA had challenged Nigeria to perform well to secure historic sponsorship.
Team Nigeria captain Oluwafemi Ayo Folashade promised to represent the country well and restore its honour.
The 72-member Nigerian contingent will compete in 10 sports at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
COMPETE WITH COURAGE, HONOUR, INTEGRITY, AND WIN CLEAN AT THE 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES, PRESIDENT TINUBU CHARGES TEAM NIGERIA
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday charged Nigerian athletes representing the country at the forthcoming 2026 Commonwealth… pic.twitter.com/K2qXlkemX9
— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) July 2, 2026
