The National Sports Commission has increased performance bonuses and instant cash rewards for Team Nigeria athletes competing at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, as part of efforts to boost morale and reward outstanding performances.
The Punch reported that the announcement was made by the Commission’s chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who said the revised incentive package was approved after consultations with the Commission’s director-general.
“During a brief meeting with the Director General, we agreed to increase the athletes’ bonuses. Gold medal winners will now receive $10,000 in total, $5,000 cash instant reward and $5,000 paid directly into their account.
“Silver medallists will get $5,000 in total, $2,000 cash instantly and $3,000 paid to their account. Bronze medallists will receive $3,000 in total, $1,000 cash instant and $2,000 paid to their account,” Dikko said.
The revised package represents an improvement on the Commission’s earlier reward structure.
Dikko explained that gold medallists had initially been entitled to a total of $8,000, split between an instant cash reward and a bank transfer, before the latest review.
“He explained that the initial structure had been $8,000 for gold, comprising $3,000 cash instant and $5,000 to account, but had since been revised upward. “After meeting the team in Aberdeen, I decided to increase the instant cash reward to $5,000 as added motivation for all gold medal hopefuls,” he added.
According to the NSC chairman, the three Nigerian athletes who claimed gold medals on the opening day of the Games have already received the revised $10,000 reward, dispelling reports that they were paid under the previous package.
He added that the two gold medallists and the silver medallists from the second day had also received their instant cash payments of $5,000 and $2,000 respectively.
Dikko also announced improved incentives for coaches, revealing that any coach whose athlete wins a gold medal will earn a $5,000 bonus.
He added that athletes are receiving a daily allowance of $200, while coaches are paid $250 per day.
He further disclosed that additional discretionary rewards remain available in exceptional situations, citing the case of Rilwan Idris, who received an immediate cash incentive that helped spur him from bronze-medal contention to winning gold.
The Commission said the enhanced reward package underscores its commitment to ensuring Team Nigeria athletes and officials remain adequately motivated and supported throughout the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
