Sports
Gold Dust, Dollar Rain: Team Nigeria Takes Care of Business, With Weightlifting Gold Sweep and Sprint Surge on Day 4
Team Nigeria continued its outstanding campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Monday, producing a memorable Day Four performance highlighted by three gold medals in weightlifting and impressive displays on the athletics track as the country’s medal charge gathered further momentum in Glasgow, Scotland.
Edidiong Joseph Umoafia set the tone early, powering to gold in the men’s 71kg weightlifting event with a Commonwealth Games record total of 319kg. The Nigerian lifted a Games record 147kg in the snatch before adding 172kg in the clean and jerk to finish ahead of Samoa’s Joseph Tafi (314kg) and Nauru’s Elgin Moses (310kg). The victory delivered Nigeria’s fourth gold medal of the Games.
Nigeria’s golden run continued in the women’s 53kg event as Onome Didih did the incredible, with a commanding performance to claim the country’s fifth gold medal. Didih rewrote the record books, setting new Commonwealth Games records in the snatch (93kg), clean and jerk (113kg) and total lift (206kg). India’s Gyaneshwari Yadav finished with 199kg to take silver, while Canada’s Rebeka Groulx claimed bronze with 178kg.
Team Nigeria’s golden run continued in spectacular fashion Monday evening, as Rafiatu Folashade Lawal delivered the country’s sixth gold medal of the Games with a record-shattering performance in the women’s 58kg weightlifting event.
Lawal swept all before her, setting new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records in the snatch (103kg), clean and jerk (126kg) and total lift (229kg). Her combined total left her a commanding 14kg clear of Canada’s Ann-Sophie Taschereau, who finished with 215kg for silver.
Just as promised by the National Sports Commission, each gold medal winner received $5000 instant cash reward and additional $5,000 performance bonus paid into their accounts.
On the track, Team Nigeria’s sprinters also made a strong statement by securing multiple semifinal places in the men’s and women’s 100 metres.
Favour Ashe comfortably won the opening heat of the men’s 100m in 10.10 seconds (+1.5) to book his place in Tuesday’s semifinals.
Nicholas Fakorede followed with an impressive second-place finish in Heat 10, clocking 10.21 seconds (+1.4) behind Lesotho’s Mojela Koneshe, whose 10.07 seconds established a new national record. Fakorede joins Ashe and national record holder Kayinsola Ajayi, who received a bye, in the semifinal lineup.
In the women’s 100m, 17 year old Commonwealth Games debutant Miracle Ezechukwu announced herself in style, winning her heat from lane eight in 11.32 seconds (-1.5). She crossed the line ahead of Barbados’ Kishawna Niles and Ghana’s Deborah Acheampong to qualify automatically for the semifinals. Ezechukwu will be joined by Blessing Ogundiran and Rosemary Chukwuma, giving Team Nigeria three athletes in the women’s semifinal.
Sade Olatoye endured a difficult start after finishing 10th in Group A of women’s Hammer Throw. She held her head up after not getting the finish she hoped for. Olatoye threw a mark of 62.75m on her second attempt, with two faults in three attempts.
Olatoye threw a mark of 62.75m on her second attempt.
With five gold medals already secured and more medal events to come, Team Nigeria continues on its path to deliver on its promises at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Sports
NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu
Joel Ajayi
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.
Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.
The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.
“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.
“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”
Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.
He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.
Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.
“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.
He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.
On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.
Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.
“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”
“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.
“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.
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