The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, on Friday expressed confidence that Team Nigeria can secure a top-five finish at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. The NSC also directed all athletes travelling to Abuja for camping to fly rather than travel by road, with the commission covering all transportation expenses.
Olopade disclosed this in Abuja during the Commonwealth Games Stakeholders' Meeting, where sports federations and key stakeholders reviewed the country's readiness for the Games. Determined to build on that legacy, the NSC has set an ambitious target for the country's athletes, citing improved athlete welfare, enhanced preparations and strong government support.
Nigeria remains one of Africa's most successful nations in Commonwealth Games history, consistently producing medal-winning performances in athletics, wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, para-sports and other events. Team Nigeria has regularly ranked among the continent's leading nations at the Games, with its success driven largely by track and field, wrestling, weightlifting and combat sports.
According to Olopade, projections by the Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board indicate that Nigeria could win about 16 gold medals and 20 silver medals. He said the commission is challenging athletes and federations to exceed those expectations.
He said: “Yusuf Ali believes we can win close to 16 gold medals and about 20 silver medals. But I have challenged him and the federations to aim higher. We should target at least 20 gold medals because that would place Nigeria among the top five nations at the Commonwealth Games, and I do not believe that is beyond our capabilities. We have received tremendous support and funding from President Bola Tinubu and his administration, which has greatly enhanced our preparations.”
He noted that preparations for the Commonwealth Games and the forthcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) are currently among the commission's top priorities. He revealed that the commission had spent months working with various sports federations, including American Flag Football, Karate and Mixed Martial Arts, to ensure athletes receive adequate preparation ahead of international competitions.
While acknowledging that discussions with the Karate Federation were still ongoing, Olopade said progress had been made in resolving issues affecting the sport. He commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the necessary funding and support for Nigerian sports, saying the administration's commitment had significantly boosted preparations for the Games.
A major focus of the stakeholders' meeting was athlete welfare, which Olopade described as a key pillar of Team Nigeria's preparations. He disclosed that athletes would benefit from improved travel arrangements, expanded apparel packages and enhanced camping conditions.
Olopade added, “For the first time, each athlete's bag will contain close to 20 different apparel items, all of which are prepared and ready for distribution. Camping will commence next Tuesday in Abuja. From July 2, after the team has met with President Bola Tinubu, the athletes will depart for Aberdeen, where they will undergo an additional three and a half weeks of training and camping. We have secured an excellent training facility in Aberdeen. I have personally visited the camp twice to assess the facilities and ensure that everything we are putting together is worthy of our athletes.”
According to Olopade, the decision was taken to guarantee the safety and comfort of athletes as preparations intensify. He also announced that substantial financial incentives had been approved for medal-winning athletes, although details of the rewards would be unveiled by President Tinubu before the team's departure.
Olopade maintained that Nigerian athletes have never enjoyed better preparation and welfare arrangements ahead of a major multi-sport competition. “We have agreed on substantial incentives for gold, silver and bronze medallists. The President will officially announce the rewards when Team Nigeria visits him in the coming weeks. Our athletes have never had it this good in terms of preparation, welfare and the support structures awaiting them when they arrive in camp,” he said.
