Team Nigeria places sixth, misses NSC medal goal

Team Nigeria placed sixth on the overall medals table at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. This was below the National Sports Commission’s ambitious target. The team ended the competition with 23 medals: 10 gold, seven silver, and six bronze, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

This total did not meet the high expectations set before the Games.

The Director General of the Commission, Bukola Olopade, had believed Nigeria could do better than the 18-gold target. He aimed for 22 gold medals, thanks to structural changes under NSC chairman Shehu Dikko and support from President Bola Tinubu.

Nigeria had high hopes because of its strong performance at the 2022 Birmingham Games. There, Nigeria won 35 medals, including 12 gold, nine silver, and 14 bronze, finishing seventh overall.

Though the final gold count of 10 was far from the 22 predicted and even lower than the 18 target, Team Nigeria still had some memorable moments in Glasgow. The medals came from various sports like athletics, judo, weightlifting, para athletics, para powerlifting, and swimming.

Samuel Ogazi made history by winning Nigeria’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold in the men’s 400m, finishing in 44.25 seconds. Ezekiel Nathaniel also brought home gold in the men’s 400m hurdles with a time of 48.47 seconds. Chukwuebuka Enekwechi became the first Nigerian to win the men’s shot put title at the Games, throwing 21.07m. Other medal winners included Ella Onojuvwevwo, who won bronze in the women’s 400m, Ruth Usoro, who took silver in long jump, and Udodi Onwuzurike, who won silver in the men’s 200m. Kayinsola Ajayi’s bronze in the men’s 100m marked the end of a twenty-year wait for Nigeria in that event. The men’s 4x100m relay team and the mixed 4x400m relay team both secured bronze medals, while the women’s 4x100m team placed sixth.

In judo, Enku Ekuta ended a 24-year wait for a Nigerian medal at the Commonwealth Games. She won bronze in the women’s -63kg category. This was seen as a significant achievement due to the sport's long struggle to achieve success.

The Commission worked hard to keep spirits high during the Games by improving the welfare package.

NSC chairman Shehu Dikko announced a raise in bonuses during the Games. Gold medallists now earn 10,000 dollars, which includes 5,000 dollars in cash and 5,000 dollars directly deposited into their accounts. Silver medallists get 5,000 dollars, made up of 2,000 dollars in cash and 3,000 dollars paid into their accounts. Bronze medallists receive 3,000 dollars, which includes 1,000 dollars in cash and 2,000 dollars in their accounts.

Coaches of gold medallists are also eligible for a 5,000-dollar incentive, in addition to daily allowances of 200 dollars for athletes and 250 dollars for coaches.

Even with the increased rewards and individual successes, Team Nigeria’s sixth-place finish and gold count left the Commission below the record-breaking performance it aimed for. This raises questions for officials regarding preparation and funding as the country looks to future international multi-sport events.