NIGERIA STANDS TALL AT COMMONWEALTH GAMES

By: Gyang Dakwo

Team Nigeria ended the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with renewed confidence after finishing seventh on the medals table and emerging as Africa’s highest-ranked nation.

The contingent won 24 medals comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, capping a campaign that produced historic victories, record-breaking performances and encouraging signs for the future of Nigerian sports.

Para powerlifting once again proved to be Nigeria’s strongest medal source. Esther Nworgu opened the country’s gold account in the women’s lightweight category with a Commonwealth Games record, while Esther Oyema settled for silver behind her compatriot. Folashade Oluwafemiayo then delivered one of the outstanding performances of the Games by breaking the world record twice before lifting 175kg to win gold in the women’s heavyweight event. Rita Ferdinand claimed silver in the same category, Roland Ezuruike added another silver after narrowly missing gold on countback, and Rilwan Idris completed the team’s dominance with gold in the men’s heavyweight class.

Weightlifting also lived up to expectations and continued Nigeria’s proud tradition in the sport. Rafiatu Lawal successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s 59kg category, Edidiong Umoafia won the men’s 67kg event, while Onome Didih topped the podium in the women’s 55kg division. Ruth Nyong added silver in the women’s 48kg category to ensure another productive outing for the Nigerian lifters.

Athletics, however, provided the biggest talking points of the Games. Chukwuebuka Enekwechi made history by becoming the first Nigerian to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the men’s shot put. Samuel Ogazi then crowned an outstanding campaign by storming to victory in the men’s 400 metres in 44.25 seconds, while Ezekiel Nathaniel added another gold in the men’s 400m hurdles.

Success on the track and in the field did not end there. Udodi Onwuzurike raced to silver in the men’s 200 metres, while Jessica Oji announced herself on the international stage with silver in the women’s shot put on her Commonwealth Games debut. Nigeria’s men’s 4×100 metres relay team also secured silver after a determined performance against a quality field.

The bronze medals reflected the depth that is beginning to emerge in Nigerian athletics. Kayinsola Ajayi reached the podium in the men’s 100 metres, Temitope Adeshina earned bronze in the women’s high jump, Tobi Amusan battled through injury to finish third in the women’s 100m hurdles, while Ella Onojuvwevwo produced a spirited run to claim bronze in the women’s 400 metres.

Nigeria’s success extended beyond the track as Enku Ekuta won bronze in judo to ensure the country’s medal haul came from four different sports.

However, not every event went Nigeria’s way. Boxing failed to produce the expected medals after a series of early exits reduced the country’s chances in the ring. The basketball teams also found the competition tough and were unable to challenge for podium places.

Even so, Glasgow offered far more positives than disappointments. Nigeria demonstrated strength across para powerlifting, weightlifting, athletics and judo instead of depending on one or two sports. The emergence of young athletes such as Samuel Ogazi, Jessica Oji and Kayinsola Ajayi also showed that a new generation is ready to compete alongside established stars.

Perhaps the biggest lesson from Glasgow was the progress made by the athletics team. For years, Nigeria’s international success was driven largely by the sprints and hurdles. This time, the medals came from the 400 metres, 400m hurdles, shot put, high jump, relay events and sprints. That wider spread of success points to a healthier athletics programme and offers genuine optimism for future continental and global competitions.

Finishing seventh in the Commonwealth and first among African nations may not represent Nigeria’s highest medal haul at the Games, but the quality of the performances, the number of historic achievements and the emergence of new champions made Glasgow 2026 one of the country’s most encouraging outings in recent memory. More importantly, it showed that with sustained investment, improved preparation and continued athlete support, Team Nigeria has a solid platform on which to build for future international competitions.