By Bashir Bello, Abuja
Team Nigeria has declared itself ready for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with athletes arriving at the Games Village after concluding weeks of intensive preparations in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The contingent, strengthened by the arrival of the national 3×3 basketball team from Amsterdam, heads into the competition with high expectations across para powerlifting, athletics, boxing and field events.
The country’s medal campaign begins on Friday with Nigeria’s celebrated para powerlifting team, spearheaded by captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, one of the most decorated athletes in the sport.
A reigning Commonwealth Games champion, two-time Paralympic gold medallist, four-time world champion and multiple world record holder, Oluwafemiayo will be seeking to defend her Commonwealth title after another outstanding season.
Joining her is reigning world champion Rita Ferdinand, who heads to Glasgow after equalling the women’s world record with a 154kg lift at the African Open Championships in Algeria while setting a new African record.
Nigeria’s athletics hopes will be led by sprint sensation Kanyinsola Ajayi, whose remarkable 2026 campaign has elevated him among the world’s fastest men.
The NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion recently equalled the Nigerian 100m record of 9.84 seconds and secured back-to-back victories over world champion Oblique Seville in Eugene and London.
World record holder Tobi Amusan also enters the Games in impressive form after winning Diamond League titles in Rabat and Paris and will be chasing a historic third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles.
In the field events, African record holder Chukwuebuka Enekwechi will lead Nigeria’s challenge in the shot put, while Patricia Mbata headlines the boxing team following her successful switch of allegiance to Nigeria and African Games triumph.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) said Team Nigeria enters Glasgow with genuine medal ambitions across several disciplines.
The Commission also highlighted a comprehensive athlete welfare package introduced under the leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, including increased allowances, improved camping support and enhanced medal bonuses.
Gold medallists will receive combined rewards of up to 8,000 US dollars, while all athletes and officials have also benefited from improved travel support and welfare incentives.
The NSC expressed confidence that the reforms, combined with the quality of athletes representing the country, will inspire another successful Commonwealth Games outing for Nigeria.
