The President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, has credited the National Sports Commission’s unprecedented investment in athlete welfare, overseas training and instant financial rewards as the driving force behind Team Nigeria’s outstanding weightlifting performances at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Speaking after another memorable day on the platform that saw Edidiong Joseph Umoafia power to gold in the men’s 71kg event, Dr. Abdul said the current generation of Nigerian weightlifters had enjoyed the best preparation in the federation’s history.
Read Also: Olopade Gives Strong Charge To Glasgow 2026 Contingent: ‘Do Your Best To Make Nigerians Proud’
According to him, the extensive training programme, including the final overseas camp in Aberdeen, exposed the athletes to world-class facilities and competition-standard equipment long before the Games began.
“We came here fully prepared and we were not expecting anything less than medals,” Dr. Abdul said.
“One thing that has really helped the federation this time is that we have never had this kind of preparation before. We had several foreign training tours and stayed in Aberdeen, where the athletes trained with the same standard of equipment they are using here in Glasgow. So, nothing they are seeing here is new to them.”
Nigeria’s weightlifting team has justified that preparation with an outstanding campaign that has yielded two gold medals and one silver medal.
The charge began with Ruth Asuquo Nyong, who fought back from third after the snatch to claim silver in the women’s 48kg, before Edidiong Joseph Umoafia capped another golden evening by lifting 147kg in the snatch and 172kg in the clean and jerk for a winning total of 319kg to secure the men’s 71kg gold medal.
Although Favour Agboro narrowly missed out on the podium in the men’s 65kg category, finishing fourth after a brave final attempt at 160kg was ruled “no lift,” his performance reinforced Nigeria’s growing strength in the sport.
Dr. Abdul reserved special praise for the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, whose close relationship with the athletes, he said, has transformed the team’s morale.
“The Director General promised rewards before the competition, and you can see the outcome today.
“Our athletes now love the DG more than they even love us because of the way he motivates them and the genuine care he has shown. The instant cash rewards are also playing a huge role in motivating the athletes.”
The NWF president also applauded the leadership of NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating an environment where athletes are receiving unprecedented support.
“We must thank the National Sports Commission. I also thank the President of Nigeria because this kind of welfare has never happened in the history of Nigerian sports.”
The National Sports Commission had announced performance incentives of $5,000 for every gold medal and $3,000 for every silver medal, with athletes receiving their rewards almost immediately after winning their medals—an initiative that has been widely praised within Team Nigeria.
With athletics now underway and more medal opportunities ahead, Nigeria’s weightlifting team has already demonstrated that meticulous planning, quality preparation and prompt motivation can translate into podium success.
Sports247 gathered that the atmosphere within Team Nigeria’s camp remains exceptionally high, with the weightlifters’ achievements serving as fresh inspiration for the country’s athletes competing in the remaining events of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
