Exciting moments await athletics fans in Lagos as Nigerian athletes continue to hit top form ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games Trials.
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With the national trials set to hold from June 20 to 22 in Lagos, several Nigerian stars have delivered outstanding performances across the globe, raising hopes of a strong outing for Team Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this year.
The National Sports Commission has already set an ambitious target of winning at least 20 gold medals and securing a top-five finish at the Games.
Judging by recent results, Nigeria’s athletics team appears well equipped to challenge for those lofty goals.
Leading the charge is world record holder, Tobi Amusan who looks to be rediscovering her very best form.
The women’s 100m hurdles star successfully defended her African title before launching into an impressive Diamond League campaign.
Amusan opened her season with a third-place finish in Shanghai, followed it up with second place in Xiamen, and then stormed to victory in Rabat where she equalled her season’s best of 12.28 seconds while also breaking her own meeting record.
The Nigerian sprint queen recently added another gold medal to her growing collection after winning the New Taipei Athletics Open in Taiwan in a meet-record time of 12.72 seconds despite running into a headwind.
Her consistency has firmly established her as one of Nigeria’s strongest medal hopes heading into Glasgow.
In the men’s 100m, Kanyinsola Ajayi as emerged as the country’s newest sprint sensation.
The Auburn University athlete stunned the athletics world at the NCAA East Regional Championships when he clocked 9.84 seconds to break Olusoji Fasuba’s 20-year-old Nigerian record of 9.85 seconds.
The remarkable performance not only made Ajayi the fastest Nigerian in history but also pushed him to the top of the world rankings for 2026.
With the trials approaching, Ajayi will undoubtedly be one of the biggest attractions in Lagos as he battles for a place on Team Nigeria.
Nigeria’s sprint depth is further highlighted by the presence of talented athletes, Favour Ashe, Isreal, Enoch Adegoke, Chidera Ezeakor, all expected to provide fierce competition in the men’s 100m.
Another athlete attracting attention is Samuel Ogazi. The University of Alabama quarter-miler recently clocked a personal best of 43.82 seconds in the men’s 400m.
A performance that propelled him to the top of the world rankings and reignited optimism for Nigeria in the event.
African record holder, Ezekiel Nathaniel is also expected to make a major impact in the 400m hurdles.
Nathaniel has continued to test himself against elite competition and remains one of Africa’s finest performers in the event.
His growing experience and record-breaking pedigree make him a genuine medal contender for Nigeria.
The women’s sprint and relay pools are equally loaded with talent.
Athletes such as Rosemary Chukwuma, Blessing Ogundiran and Rosemary Nwankwo are expected to light up the track during the trials in Yaba, with Ella Onojuvwevwo already recording multiple sub-50-second performances this season.
In the field events, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi continues to fly Nigeria’s flag with distinction.
The shot put specialist, fondly known as “Mr Reliable,” recently claimed gold at the Znamensky Memorial in Russia with a winning throw of 21.27 metres.
Over the years, Enekwechi has established himself as one of Nigeria’s most dependable field athletes, consistently delivering podium finishes on the international stage and raising the country’s profile in the throwing events.
As the countdown to the AFN National Trials continues, expectations are rising around a Nigerian team blessed with a blend of experienced stars and exciting young talents.
If current performances are anything to go by, Team Nigeria’s athletics contingent could be on course for one of its most successful Commonwealth Games campaigns in recent history.
