Nigeria's path to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, kicks off this weekend. The country's best athletes are gathering at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos for the eagerly awaited Commonwealth Games Trials.
The three-day event runs from June 20 to June 22. It is the official selection for athletes who want to join Team Nigeria for the Commonwealth Games later this summer.
There will be 32 events, featuring key races and field events. Fans can expect top performances and fierce competition.
This year's trials come amid a strong rivalry between local athletes and many elite performers from the United States collegiate system. This sets the stage for one of Nigeria's most competitive national championships in recent years.
Amusan leads the stars
At the top of the list is African record holder and world champion Tobi Amusan. She is the clear favorite in the women's 100m hurdles.
Amusan has had a great start to the season. She defended her African title and began a strong Diamond League campaign. She finished third in Shanghai, second in Xiamen, and won in Rabat, equaling her season's best of 12.28 seconds while breaking her own meeting record.
The 29-year-old recently won another title at the New Taipei Athletics Open in Taiwan with a meet-record time of 12.72 seconds.
Adaobi Tabogo is expected to be Amusan's biggest challenger as she aims to maintain her top spot.
Exciting sprints ahead
The men's 100m is set to be one of the highlights of the championships, with all eyes on Kanyinsola Ajayi from Auburn University.
Ajayi surprised everyone at the NCAA East Regional Championships with a time of 9.84 seconds. He broke the Nigerian record of 9.85 seconds held by Olusoji Fasuba for nearly 20 years.
He showed his amazing form again with a wind-assisted 9.72 seconds at the NCAA Championships.
Ajayi will face tough competition from Chidera Ezeakor, Olympian Enoch Adegoke, Israel Okon, and Favour Ashe. The women's sprint events are also packed with talent, including Blessing Ogundiran, Rosemary Nwankwo, Rosemary Chukwuma, Maria Thompson, and young star Miracle Ezechukwu.
Ogazi leads the 400m race
Few Nigerian athletes have created as much buzz this season as Samuel Ogazi.
The University of Alabama star recently ran a personal best of 43.38 seconds in the 400m. This puts him at the top of the world rankings and marks him as one of the brightest young talents in athletics.
Ogazi will face competition from Ezekiel Asuquo, Gafari Badmus, and Sikiru Adeyemi. In the women's 400m, Ella Onojuvwevwo leads a strong group that includes Jecinta Lawrence, Esther Okon, Toheebat Jimoh, and veteran Patience Okon-George.
Meanwhile, African record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel is expected to shine in the men's 400m hurdles after another strong season against top international competition.
Field events feature global stars
Several field events are also set to showcase international-level performances.
Nigeria's top shot putter, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, arrives in Lagos in excellent form. He won gold at the Znamensky Memorial in Russia with a throw of 21.27m and placed second at the Golden Spikes Meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, with a throw of 21.43m.
His African record of 22.10m remains one of the continent's best.
The men's javelin will include NCAA champion Chinecherem Nnamdi, who recently threw a personal best of 82.26m. He became the first Nigerian man to win an NCAA javelin title.
High jumper Temitope Adeshina is another athlete to watch. The Texas Tech star swept the NCAA indoor and outdoor titles this season and arrives in Lagos as one of Nigeria's top medal hopes.
The women's long jump will feature Ese Brume, one of Nigeria's most decorated athletes, who has Commonwealth Games gold, World Championship medals, and multiple African titles.
Prize money announced
Adding to the excitement is the introduction of prize money for outstanding home-based athletes and coaches.
More than ₦3 million is set aside for the Excellence in Athletics Prize. This initiative is sponsored by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s Second Vice-President, Aku Aghazu, in memory of her late father, Ben Aghazu.
This initiative has gained support from former athletes and stakeholders, including Gbolahan Fatuga and Kunle Oguneye, who will reward winners of the women’s 200m and 400m events.
Organisers are also planning to increase the prize pool for future national championships.
With Olympic and World Championship medalists, African record holders, NCAA champions, and rising talents all competing, the Commonwealth Games Trials promise three days of top competition as Nigeria’s athletes aim to represent the nation in Glasgow.
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