Nigeria’s para powerlifting team has made the country proud, winning $18,000 (about ₦27.5 million) in cash rewards after a fantastic start at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Before the Games, the National Sports Commission announced cash rewards for athletes who win medals. The team, led by Esther Nworgu, delivered an impressive performance, with Nworgu winning Nigeria’s first gold medal of the event.
On Friday, photos and clips from the live event showed the athletes receiving cash gifts from the NSC team as they celebrated their achievements.
Esther Nworgu took the women’s lightweight para powerlifting title with a record-breaking performance of 119.0 points. She finished ahead of her fellow Nigerian, Esther Oyema, who won silver with 115.5 points. England’s Olivia Broome took home the bronze medal with 106.6 points.
This gold medal adds to Nworgu’s impressive achievements, including a silver medal from the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. For her victory, Nworgu received an immediate reward of $3,000 and an extra $5,000, totaling $8,000.
Oyema, a well-known international medallist, earned $5,000 for her silver medal. This included a $2,000 immediate reward and an additional $3,000.
In the men’s lightweight category, veteran Roland Ezuruike won Nigeria’s first medal after securing silver with 153.9 points. The 50-year-old narrowly missed the gold medal after failing his final lift. England’s Mark Swan won gold on a tiebreak, even though both had the same points. Malaysia’s Bonnie Bunyau Gustin won bronze.
Ezuruike also received $5,000 in performance rewards from the National Sports Commission. In total, the three medallists earned $18,000 in prize money.
Nigeria’s strong start shows the country’s strength in para powerlifting at major international events. Team Nigeria hopes to win more medals in the coming days, with reigning world champion Folasade Oluwafemiayo and other Nigerian para powerlifters still set to compete.
The athletes are competing for big cash prizes from the NSC, which has promised $8,000 for gold, $5,000 for silver, and $3,000 for bronze medalists at Glasgow 2026.
PUNCH Online reported that Nigeria has officially introduced the athletes representing the country at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as the competition begins in Scotland.
The Nigerian team will take part in various sporting events, aiming to maintain the country’s strong history at the Commonwealth Games. As the Games kick off, Team Nigeria carries the hopes of millions, with high expectations for winning medals in different sports.
The team consists of experienced athletes and new talents who earned their spots through great performances in national and international competitions.
A post from the National Sports Commission’s X handle on Friday showed officials confident in the athletes’ preparations, urging Nigerians to support the team throughout the competition.
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