Nigeria Targets Record 16 Golds at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

"Everything need for our athletes to be in the best frame of mind for the Games has been put in place—from the apparel that they will be donning to the team’s pre-competition preparations and welfare package, we have been able to sort everything out"

Per Second NewsJune 24, 20261 Mins read135

By Samuel Akpan

National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade says Team Nigeria is ready to deliver its best-ever performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with comprehensive preparations in place and a record gold medal target.Olopade said on Wednesday in Abuja that every detail has been handled to give the athletes the best possible environment.

“Everything we need for our athletes to be in the best frame of mind for the Games has been put in place—from the apparel that they will be donning to the team’s pre-competition preparations and welfare package, we have been able to sort everything out with the full support of Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR,” he said.

The athletes are currently in high spirits at their training base in Abuja, according to the DG.

“The athletes are in high spirits in their camp in Abuja and their Track and field counterparts are joining them, following the successful conclusion of their trials in Lagos by the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, AFN.”

He expressed relief that worries about missing top overseas-based athletes have been cleared.

“We are also very excited to announce that the fear of not having our best athletes for the Games has been allayed with the good news we have gotten from the America Embassy.

“We are therefore expecting the likes of Ogazi, Kanyinsola and other of our top athletes based in America to arrive at the team’s camp in Abuja by the weekend,” he revealed.

Olopade said the NSC is deliberate in its approach, aiming to set new benchmarks in both podium results and athlete welfare for future international multi-sport events.

The Commission has set an ambitious target of 16 gold medals in Glasgow. This would establish a new Commonwealth Games record for Nigeria, surpassing the previous best of 12 golds won in Birmingham in 2022.Nigeria’s contingent will depart for a pre-Games training camp in Aberdeen on July 2 before the competition opens in Glasgow on July 23, 2026.