2026 Commonwealth Games: Team Nigeria stars to watch

As the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games continues, Team Nigeria is preparing to once again to showcase some of the country’s finest sporting talents on one of the world’s biggest multi-sport stages.

The Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August, with Nigeria expected to challenge for medals across several disciplines.

Ahead of the Games, here are five Nigerian stars expected to make headlines.

Tobi Amusan (Athletics)

Few athletes arrive in Glasgow with greater expectations than world record holder Tobi Amusan.

The reigning Commonwealth champion sent a strong message to her rivals by winning the women’s 100m hurdles at the Paris Diamond League, equalling her season’s best of 12.27 seconds just weeks before the Games.

Amusan heads to Glasgow chasing a third consecutive Commonwealth title after striking gold in Gold Coast 2018 and successfully defending her crown at Birmingham 2022, where she also set a Games record of 12.30 seconds. She capped off her campaign in Birmingham by helping Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m relay team secure another gold medal.

With her pedigree and current form, Amusan is expected to be one of the standout performers of the Games.

Folashade Oluwafemiayo (Para powerlifting)

Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo remains one of the country’s most dependable medal prospects.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest para-powerlifters in history, Oluwafemiayo is a two-time Paralympic champion, four-time world champion and multiple world record holder.

She produced another historic performance at the 2021 World Para-Powerlifting Championships in Tbilisi, lifting a world-record 152.5kg en route to gold, before adding the Commonwealth heavyweight title at Birmingham 2022.

As she leads Team Nigeria into Glasgow, Oluwafemiayo will once again be aiming to extend her remarkable legacy with another Commonwealth gold medal.

Ese Brume (Athletics)

Nigeria’s long jump queen, Ese Brume, has consistently delivered on athletics’ biggest stages and enters Glasgow as one of the favourites to retain her Commonwealth title.

The Olympic bronze medallist and two-time World Championships medallist produced one of the standout performances at Birmingham 2022, winning gold with a Games record leap of 7.00m.

Brume also holds the African record of 7.17m, becoming the first African woman to jump beyond 7.15 metres.

With her wealth of experience and consistency, she remains one of Nigeria’s strongest podium contenders.

Rafiatu Lawal (Weightlifting)

Nigeria’s weightlifting hopes will again rest heavily on Rafiatu Lawal, one of Africa’s most accomplished lifters.

The reigning Commonwealth champion rewrote the record books at Birmingham 2022 by setting Games records in the snatch (90kg), clean and jerk (116kg) and total (206kg).

Lawal has carried that momentum into 2026. She claimed another African title in Ismailia, Egypt, before making history as the first Nigerian weightlifter to win three medals at a single IWF World Championships, securing silver in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total.

She will be targeting a successful defence of her Commonwealth crown in Glasgow.

Samuel Ogazi (Athletics)

At just 20 years old, Samuel Ogazi has rapidly established himself as one of the brightest young stars in global athletics.

The quarter-miler announced himself by reaching the men’s 400m final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games before enjoying a remarkable rise over the next two seasons.

After breaking the long-standing Nigerian 400m record in 2025 with 44.02 seconds and setting an African indoor record of 44.57 seconds, Ogazi elevated his performances even further in 2026.

He opened the season with a world-leading 43.95 seconds to win the SEC title before storming to the NCAA championship in a stunning 43.38 seconds, breaking the NCAA record, setting another Nigerian record and becoming the fourth-fastest man in history over 400 metres.

He heads to Glasgow as one of Team Nigeria’s brightest gold medal hopes.

Team Nigeria targets success across 10 sports

Meanwhile, with just weeks remaining before the opening ceremony, Team Nigeria has intensified preparations for Glasgow 2026, where approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories will compete.

Unlike previous editions, Glasgow 2026 will feature a streamlined programme of 10 sports, including six fully integrated Para sports.

Nigeria will compete in athletics, basketball (3×3), boxing, judo, para-athletics and para cycling. Others are para powerlifting, swimming, weightlifting and wheelchair Basketball

The National Sports Commission (NSC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the various national sports federations, has continued preparations through national trials, technical programmes and training camps to assemble a competitive squad.

Although the reduced programme excludes traditional Nigerian medal sports such as wrestling and table tennis, Team Nigeria remains confident of strong performances in its remaining disciplines.

Nigeria’s main medal prospects

Athletics, weightlifting, boxing and the Para sports are expected to produce the bulk of Nigeria’s medals in Glasgow.

Athletics will once again lead the charge with stars including Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume, Samuel Ogazi and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, while Nigeria’s relay teams will also be among the podium contenders.

Weightlifting remains another traditional strength following Nigeria’s impressive performances at the African Senior Weightlifting Championships. Alongside Rafiatu Lawal, Adijat Olarinoye, Edidiong Umoafia and Taiwo Osijo will be aiming for podium finishes.

Nigeria’s boxers will look to re-establish themselves among the Commonwealth’s elite, while the country’s para powerlifters and para athletes—long regarded among the world’s best—are again expected to deliver multiple medals.

As Team Nigeria athletes prepares to don the green and white in Glasgow, hopes are high that another memorable Commonwealth campaign awaits. Nigerians at home and across the diaspora will be hoping the nation’s finest athletes once again rise to the occasion on one of sport’s biggest stages.

2022 Commonwealth Games performance

It is now an open secret that Team Nigeria is aiming to better its best-ever record at the last edition of the Commonwealth Games in Bi.

During the competition, Team Nigeria amassed a total of 35 medals, which included 12 gold, 9 silver, and 14 bronze medals.

This historic haul placed the nation 7th overall on the medals table and established Nigeria as the highest-ranked African country at the Games. Interestingly, all the 12 Nigeria’s gold medals were won by female athletes. Nigerian lifters dominated the weightlifting and powerlifting events, with athletes like Rafiatu Lawal setting multiple new games records.

Following adequate preparations and federal government’s unwavering financial and moral support, the NSC is targeting not less than 20 gold medals at the 2026 edition of the Commonwealth Games.

The Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, who made the pledge said such a feat would place Team Nigeria among the top five nations at the Games,

Speaking on Nigeria’s medal prospects, the NSC DG referenced an assessment by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board, Yusuf Alli, which projected 16 gold and 20 silver medals for Team Nigeria.

“While the scientific assessment projects about 16 gold medals, I have challenged the federations to aim higher,” said Olopade.

“I believe Nigeria can win at least 20 gold medals. Achieving that would place us among the top five nations of the Commonwealth Games.

“We have been working for several weeks and months on plans for the Commonwealth Games.

“We have consistently maintained that athletes’ welfare remains our top priority. Today’s discussions centered on welfare packages, travel arrangements, and support measures to ensure our athletes are comfortable and adequately prepared.”

In line with this solemn vow towards athletes’ welfare, the NSC on Thursday, after the send-forth ceremony at the Presidential Villa, unveiled global sportswear PUMA as the new kit partner for Team Nigeria for the Commonwealth Games.

NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to the success of Team Nigeria at the Glasgow Games.

“Today’s activities represent our commitment to giving Nigerian athletes the very best as they compete on the global stage.

“We are fully behind Team Nigeria and have worked tirelessly to ensure they have the support, environment and confidence to succeed. We believe in this team, and we are confident they will make Nigeria proud,” Dikko said.

No room for indiscipline

To meet the set target, the NSC also warned that discipline and exemplary conduct would remain non-negotiable throughout the Games.

The NSC DG, Olopade, stressed that misconduct would attract strict sanctions, including expulsion from the Nigerian contingent.

“Every athlete and official must understand that representing Nigeria is both an honour and responsibility.

“Your conduct must be exemplary on and off the field of play. We have zero tolerance for indiscipline, doping or any act capable of bringing the country into disrepute.

“Anyone found wanting will face appropriate sanctions, including possible expulsion from the team,” said Olopade.