FG rallies Team Nigeria for 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign

President Bola Tinubu officially bid farewell to Team Nigeria, inspiring the nation's athletes and officials before their departure for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the athletes as they prepare to compete on the global stage.

“

We thank God for the timely preparation, which is different from what we used to have.

Team Nigeria, comprising 74 athletes across ten sports, will travel to Aberdeen, Scotland, for a three-week intensive training camp before heading to Glasgow for the Games, which run from July 23 to August 2. The contingent aims to surpass their impressive performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where they finished as Africa’s highest-ranked team with 35 medals, including 12 gold.

Officials from the National Institute for Sports and the National Sports Commission expressed strong confidence in the team's medal prospects. They projected that the contingent could win at least 20 gold medals, citing the organized and timely preparation as a key factor. This structured approach, from talent scouting to acclimatization, is a departure from previous last-minute rushes, according to officials.

“

This is a clear demonstration of timely preparation. We have been preparing well ahead of the Games, from talent scouting to where we are today.

National Sports Commission Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, highlighted the long-term planning involved, stating that preparations began well in advance. Director-General Bukola Olopade emphasized the deliberate execution of these plans and issued a stern warning regarding athlete discipline, stating that any misbehavior or negative social media activity would result in expulsion, regardless of an athlete's profile.

“

This is where we draw the line. No matter how big an athlete is, once he or she misbehaves, such a person will be expelled. If you spread negative narratives on social media, you will be expelled.