The Vice President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Omonlei Imadu, has expressed strong confidence in the next generation of Nigerian boxers as preparations intensify for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
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Imadu’s optimism follows Nigeria’s growing recognition on the global boxing stage, with four Nigerian female fighters currently ranked in the top 10 of the World Boxing Council rankings across different weight divisions.
Leading the charge is Elizabeth Oshoba, who is ranked fourth in the featherweight division and remains unbeaten in her professional career.
She is joined by Toyin Adejumola, ranked 10th in the middleweight category, while Celina Agwu and Bolatito Oluwole have also earned places in the heavyweight top 10.
According to Imadu, the achievements reflect the federation’s long-term athlete development structure and its successful transition pathway from grassroots competitions to elite international boxing.
“The next generation of boxers is also giving us confidence for the Commonwealth Games,” Imadu said.
He explained that the senior athletes benefitted from years of Olympic-style preparation, exposure at sports festivals, and participation in major international events, which helped raise their performance standards.
Imadu added that younger fighters coming through the system are already adapting quickly to elite competition and are showing signs of readiness for professional boxing.
“So for the new boxers, they have also gone through these pathways, and I have full confidence they will make Nigeria proud and will fly our flag high. They are even ready for the pros already,” he stated.
Nigeria’s growing presence in the WBC rankings comes at a crucial period as the federation targets a strong outing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, where boxing is expected to remain one of the country’s key medal prospects.
The confidence within the federation also builds on Nigeria’s performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where the country secured four boxing medals, with officials believing the current crop of fighters possesses even greater podium potential.
