Glasgow 2026: Ella Onojuvwevwo ends Nigeria's 32-year medal drought in women's 400m

Ella Onojuvwevwo has ended Nigeria's 32-year wait for a medal in the women's 400 meters at the Commonwealth Games, securing a bronze in Glasgow.

Onojuvwevwo, 21, clocked 51.00 seconds, finishing behind Jamaica's Dejanea Oakley and Barbados' Sada Williams. This historic achievement marks Nigeria's first medal in the event since Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju claimed silver at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada. Yusuf-Olukoju, a former Commonwealth Games silver medallist herself, celebrated Onojuvwevwo's success on Facebook, praising the young athlete for making Nigeria's women's 400m relevant again.

"You officially broke the curse and brought home a 🥉, making Nigeria’s women’s 400m relevant again!" Yusuf-Olukoju wrote. "Thank you for reminding the world that Nigerians still know how to sprint one full lap without asking for directions. The future is incredibly bright. Keep making us proud, we’re all cheering you on!"

Onojuvwevwo's bronze is only the third Commonwealth Games medal ever won by a Nigerian woman in the 400m. She joins Yusuf-Olukoju and Charity Opara, who secured bronze in 1990. The medal's significance extends beyond the Commonwealth, sparking hope for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Nigeria has not won an Olympic medal in the women's 400m since Falilat Ogunkoya at the Atlanta 1996 Games, a gap of 32 years.

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Love you Onojuvwevwo Ella!!! 🇳🇬 You officially broke the curse and brought home a 🥉, making Nigeria’s women’s 400m relevant again! Thank you for reminding the world that Nigerians still know how to sprint one full lap without asking for directions. 😅🏃🏾‍♀️ The future is incredibly bright. Keep making us proud, we’re all cheering you on! 🇳🇬🔥 #LA28.