Nigeria ended a memorable campaign at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in seventh place on the medals table with 24 medals—10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze.
Beyond the impressive tally, the Games showcased a remarkable generation of athletes who rewrote history, broke long-standing barriers and revived Nigeria’s legacy on the track and in the field.
Samuel Ogazi – Men’s 400m
Ogazi announced himself on the Commonwealth stage with a sensational victory in the men’s 400m, becoming the first Nigerian ever to win the event.
His Games record time of 44.25 seconds earned him gold and ended a 32-year wait for a Nigerian medal in the race since the late Sunday Bada claimed bronze in 1994.
Tobi Amusan – Women’s 100m Hurdles
Amusan added another major medal to her illustrious career by claiming bronze in the women’s 100m hurdles.
Although she narrowly missed the top step of the podium, the world record holder once again proved her consistency on the global stage, extending Nigeria’s proud tradition in sprint hurdles.
Temitope Adeshina – Women’s High Jump
Adeshina continued her rapid rise by clearing 1.90m to secure bronze in the women’s high jump.
The performance made her the first Nigerian in 60 years to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the event, following Samuel Igun’s silver medal in 1966.
Having already broken the national record, she further established herself as Nigeria’s leading high jumper.
Ezekiel Nathaniel – Men’s 400m Hurdles
Nathaniel crowned another outstanding season with gold in the men’s 400m hurdles, clocking 48.47 seconds. His victory made him the first Nigerian man to win the Commonwealth title in the event and Nigeria’s first medallist in the race since Ajoke Odumosu won bronze in 2010.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi – Men’s Shot Put
After several near misses at major championships, Enekwechi finally enjoyed his breakthrough by winning gold in the men’s shot put.
The African record holder threw 21.07m in the fifth round to become the first Nigerian Commonwealth champion in the event, edging Tom Walsh and Scott Lincoln to the title.
Ella Onojuvwevwo – Women’s 400m
Onojuvwevwo
captured the first individual senior medal of her career by winning bronze in the women’s 400m with a time of 51.00 seconds.
She also became the first Nigerian woman to reach the Commonwealth podium in the event since Fatima Yusuf claimed silver in 1994.
Kayinsola Ajayi –
Men’s 100m
Ajayi delivered another historic performance by winning bronze in the men’s 100m behind Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme and Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy.
The medal ended Nigeria’s 20-year wait for a podium finish in the event since Olusoji Fasuba won silver in 2006.
Earlier in the season, Ajayi had also broken Fasuba’s national record with a time of 9.84 seconds.
Jessica Orji – Women’s Shot Put
Orji underlined her growing reputation by winning silver in the women’s shot put.
She became only the second Nigerian woman to claim a Commonwealth Games medal in the event after Vivian Chukwuemeka, who won gold in 2002 and silver in 2006.
Udodi Onwuzurike – Men’s 200m
Onwuzurike produced a season’s best of 20.09 seconds to win silver in the men’s 200m, finishing behind South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile.
His achievement ended a 32-year medal drought for Nigeria in the event, with Daniel Effiong having won bronze in 1994.
Together, the achievements of these nine athletes highlighted Nigeria’s resurgence in athletics. From record-breaking performances to ending decades-long medal droughts, they not only contributed significantly to the country’s 24-medal haul but also laid a strong foundation for future success on the international stage.
