Fast-rising quarter-miler, Samuel Ogazi has received another shower of accolades, following his stupendous burst of form in recent months, which experts believe is a great sign for him, heading into this year’s Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
Sports247 reports that Ogazi has established himself as Nigeria’s latest men’s sensation and one of the brightest youngsters in world athletics, with a series of strong performances across the indoor and outdoor seasons in the United States.
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The latest shower of encomiums for Ogazi is coming from second vice-president of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Akuchukwu Chineze Aghazu, who believes the youngster has shown tremendous improvements in recent months.
Aghazu noted that Ogazi, who grew up in Kaduna, has not only cemented his place among the world’s leading quarter-milers, but has also highlighted his rapid development into a genuine medal contender ahead of major championships.
The 20-year-old sensation, who was born on May 12th, 2006, recently climbed to fourth spot on the world all-time list for the 400 metres indoors, setting an African record, while winning the 2026 NCAA Indoor Championship in the United States.
Two years earlier, he was a bronze medalist at the 2024 African Championship and later competed for Nigeria at the 2024 Olympic Games, then improved his upward spring by winning the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championship.
Ogazi’s surge was boosted in 2023, when he received a scholarship to study at University of Alabama, after winning the 200m and 400m at the African U18 and U20 Championships in Ndola, Zambia.
He also won gold over 200 metres and 400 metres at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, then helped the Nigerian relay quartet grab gold in the mixed 4x100m with a new games record.
In March 2024, he set a new Nigerian U18 record for the 400m, running 45.35s to finish second overall behind Christopher Morales Williams in Louisiana, USA and then lowered his personal best to 45.29 the following month in Florida, USA.
Ogazi earlier competed in the 4x400m relay at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championship in Cali, Colombia for Nigeria, then returned two years later with another inspiring run at the 2024 World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas.
A report by the media committee chairman of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Maxwell Kumoye added that Ogazi stormed to an indoor personal best of 44.85 seconds in the NCAA 400 metres, thereby joining the fastest performers this season.
A few weeks later, the Nigerian sensation raised the bar once again at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships held at Randal Tyson Indoor Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA on March 14th.
Competing against some of the best collegiate athletes, Ogazi clocked a blistering 44.57 seconds, and his impressive indoor campaign also saw him deliver a facility-record performance at the SEC Indoor Championship, with victory in 44.72s.
The youngster reserved perhaps his biggest statement for the outdoor season, as he exploded to a sensational 43.95s in the South Eastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships men’s 400m in Auburn, Alabama on May 16th.
Ogazi’s timing was the second fastest time in the world at that moment, following which he shattered a 39-year Nigerian 400m national record of 44.17 set by Innocent Egbunike in 1987, to elevate him among the top athletes to watch out for.
Aghazu cast a look at the amazing scorecard and declared, “At just 20, Samuel Ogazi’s rise is no longer just promising. He is becoming impossible to ignore. He will be helped by the althletics federation and the NSC to achieve his dream.
“Ogazi is ready to write his name in gold. With every race, Ogazi continues to display exceptional composure, power and technical improvement; fueling excitement over what could become a historic career for the young Nigerian star.”
