The leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) is brimming with optimism regarding a successful outing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, buoyed by the impressive performances of Nigerian athletes on the global stage. Nigeria's medal prospects are gaining momentum ahead of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) trials scheduled for Lagos.
Olopade Confident of 20 Gold Medals
Bukola Olopade, the Director General of the NSC, expressed confidence during a recent interview with The Guardian that the target of winning at least 20 gold medals and securing a top-five finish at the Games is achievable. “We did our calculations long before now, and I am sure this target is realizable in Glasgow,” Olopade stated.
Tobi Amusan Leads the Charge
Leading Nigeria's charge is world record holder Tobi Amusan, who appears to be rediscovering her best form. The women's 100m hurdles star claimed a fourth consecutive African title in Accra, Ghana, before embarking on an impressive Diamond League campaign. She finished third in Shanghai, placed second in Xiamen, and then stormed to victory in Rabat, where she equaled her season's best of 12.28 seconds while breaking her own meeting record. Amusan recently added another title to her collection by winning gold at the New Taipei Athletics Open in Taiwan in a meet-record time of 12.72 seconds, despite running into a headwind. Her consistency has firmly established her as one of Nigeria's strongest medal hopes heading into Glasgow.
Kanyinsola Ajayi Emerges as Sprint Sensation
In the men's 100m, Kanyinsola Ajayi has emerged as Nigeria's newest sprint sensation. He stunned the athletics world at the NCAA East Regional Championships, where he clocked 9.84 seconds to break Olusoji Fasuba's 20-year-old Nigerian record of 9.85 seconds. This performance not only made Ajayi the fastest Nigerian in history but also elevated him to the top of the world rankings for 2026. Ajayi will be one of the big stars to watch at the AFN national trials in Lagos from June 20 to 22.
The presence of Enoch Adegoke, Chidera Ezeakor, and Israel Okon is expected to provide fierce competition in the men's 100m. In the 400m event, Samuel Ogazi and Ezekiel Nathaniel will be the stars to watch. Ogazi recently clocked a personal best of 43.82 seconds, a performance that propelled him to the top of the world rankings. African record holder in the 400m, Nathaniel is expected to make a significant impact as he continues to test himself against elite competition and remains one of Africa's finest performers in the event. Nathaniel is widely regarded as a genuine medal contender.
Women's Sprint and Field Events
The women's sprint and relay pools are equally loaded with talent, as athletes such as Blessing Ogundiran, Rosemary Nwankwo, and Miracle Ezechukwu are expected to give Nigerian athletics followers the best during the trials in Yaba. Quarter-miler Ella Onojuvwevwo, with multiple sub-50-second runs this year, remains one of the country's most exciting prospects. In the field events, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi is expected to retain his title.
For Olopade, Nigeria will be the team to beat in most events, from athletics to weightlifting, wrestling, para-power lifting, and table tennis, among others, when hostilities begin at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow between July 21 and August 2.
Ese Brume to Compete in Los Angeles Grand Prix
Meanwhile, Africa's long jump record holder and reigning Commonwealth Games champion, Ese Brume, will make her first competitive appearance of the season this Saturday at the USTAF Los Angeles Grand Prix. The event, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series, will take place at the University of Southern California's track in Los Angeles. Brume has not competed regularly since failing to reach the final of the long jump at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last year.
Other Nigerians joining Brume in Los Angeles include Favour Ofili, who will contest both the 100m and 200m sprints; Rosemary Chukwuma, who will line up in the 200m; and Ella Onojuvwevwo, who will compete in the 400m. According to SportsNow.com, this Grand Prix serves as a crucial test for the Nigerians ahead of the busy summer season, which includes the Nigerian Championships next weekend and the Commonwealth Games, offering them the chance to sharpen their form against world-class opposition. For Brume, it is an opportunity to build momentum towards the Commonwealth Games, where she will seek to win the long jump for the third time.
