Team Nigeria Heads to World Athletics Relay Championship

Team Nigeria will depart for the World Athletics Relay Championship in Gaborone, Botswana, on Monday via Ethiopian Airlines, with a scheduled stopover in Addis Ababa. The contingent consists of 24 athletes, blending youth and experience, and is preparing to compete in six relay events from May 2 to May 3, 2026.

The team is led by four coaches under the direction of Gabriel Okon, the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). Israel Inwang, the AFN Secretary, will arrive in Botswana on Sunday for an official photo session ahead of the team's departure.

This year's World Relay Championship presents a significant opportunity for qualification pathways to the World Athletics Championship in Beijing in 2027. A total of 723 athletes from 40 countries have registered for the event, highlighting the competitive nature of the championship, where Nigeria aims to deliver strong relay performances to secure valuable spots in future global athletic competitions.