Nigerian athletes storm Ghana for African Athletics Champs amid visa setbacks

Team Nigeria is set to make a strong showing at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, with a formidable contingent of 41 athletes. This participation underscores Nigeria's continued commitment to excelling in continental athletics and showcasing its talent on a global stage.

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Team Nigeria will depart for Ghana today ahead of the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, with a 41-athlete contingent set to represent the country at the six-day competition beginning on Tuesday.

The delegation, comprising 17 male and 24 female athletes, will compete across a wide range of disciplines. The inclusion of both foreign-based and home-based athletes ensures a robust representation of Nigeria's athletic prowess. The team's journey to Accra, with many departing from Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, highlights the logistical efforts involved in assembling and deploying a national sports team.

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World record holder Tobi Amusan headlines Nigeria’s challenge in the women’s 100m hurdles, while other top athletes on the roster include sprinter Rosemary Chukwuma, sprint star Favour Ashe, quarter-miler Chidi Okezie, discus thrower Obiageri Amaechi and hammer throw specialist Oyesade Olatoye.

From a Nigerian perspective, the African Championships are a crucial platform. It's not just about winning medals; it's about national pride, fostering athletic development, and providing opportunities for athletes to gain valuable experience. The presence of world-class athletes like Tobi Amusan, the reigning world record holder in the women's 100m hurdles, generates significant excitement and raises expectations for the team's performance.

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Nigeria’s hopes of strengthening their medal chances at the championships in have suffered a slight setback after decathlon national record holder Jami Schlueter and African shot put record holder Jessica Oji were ruled out of the competition.

However, the championships also present challenges. The unfortunate withdrawal of national record holders Jami Schlueter (decathlon) and Jessica Oji (shot put) due to visa complications is a setback. This situation highlights the persistent bureaucratic hurdles that Nigerian athletes, particularly those based abroad, often face when trying to represent their country. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) president's acknowledgment of these struggles emphasizes the need for improved support systems to ensure athletes can compete without such impediments. Despite these challenges, Team Nigeria's participation signifies a determined effort to compete at the highest level.

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Schlueter will be unavailable due to visa-related complications that will prevent him from travelling to Ghana for the championships.