Team Nigeria Aims for 20 Gold Medals at Commonwealth Games

Comrade Philip Shaibu, the Director General of the National Institute for Sports, charged athletes to embody the Nigerian spirit as they prepare for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. During the official unveiling of Team Nigeria, Shaibu expressed confidence that the team could achieve at least 20 gold medals, attributing this optimism to improved preparation time compared to previous experiences.

He emphasized the need for athletes to demonstrate resilience and pride in representing Nigeria. Shaibu also noted that the National Institute for Sports is intensifying efforts to discover and nurture talent across the country.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, mentioned that preparations for the Games are based on long-term talent identification plans, projecting a medal count of 16 to 20 gold medals. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission, stressed the importance of discipline among athletes and warned against any misconduct, stating that any athlete who misbehaves will be expelled from the team.