By Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has expressed confidence in Team Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, revealing an ambitious target of 20 gold medals as the nation intensifies efforts to secure one of its best-ever performances at the global multi-sport event.
Speaking with journalists after a series of strategic meetings with various national sports federations in Abuja on Friday, Olopade described the Commonwealth Games and the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as two critical assignments for Nigerian sports in the coming months.
According to the NSC boss, the Federal Government, under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has provided unprecedented support towards ensuring Team Nigeria is adequately prepared for the Games.
“For us, the Commonwealth Games, just as we are preparing for WAFCON, are two very important aspects of our sports in the next two months. We have a country that thrives on a feel-good factor and expects the best whenever we compete at international sporting events,” Olopade said.
He disclosed that the commission has been working for several months on comprehensive preparations covering athletes’ welfare, logistics, accommodation, incentives, and training programmes.
Olopade emphasized that athlete welfare remains at the centre of the NSC’s planning, noting that competitors will enjoy improved travel arrangements, quality sporting kits, and attractive performance-based incentives.
He revealed that local camping for Team Nigeria will commence next Tuesday in Abuja, while the contingent is expected to depart for Aberdeen on July 2 for an extended three-and-a-half-week overseas training camp designed to fine-tune preparations ahead of the Games.
The NSC Director General also disclosed that athletes travelling to the Abuja camp have been directed to fly rather than travel by road, with all transportation expenses to be fully covered by the commission as part of enhanced welfare measures.
“For the first time, each athlete’s bag will contain close to 20 different apparel items. Everything is ready, and we are also discussing welfare packages and medal bonuses. Our athletes have never had it this good in terms of preparation and welfare,” he stated.
While declining to publicly disclose the financial rewards awaiting medal winners, Olopade hinted that substantial incentives have been approved for gold, silver, and bronze medalists. He added that President Tinubu, who serves as the Grand Patron of Team Nigeria, will formally announce the reward package when the athletes meet him before departure.
On Nigeria’s medal expectations, Olopade revealed that projections from the NSC’s Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board, led by renowned athletics administrator Yusuf Ali, indicate that Team Nigeria could win approximately 16 gold medals and 20 silver medals at the Games.
However, the NSC chief believes the country can surpass those projections.
“Yusuf Ali’s scientific assessment projects about 16 gold medals, but I have told him that is not good enough. We must challenge our athletes and federations to work harder and push towards winning 20 gold medals,” Olopade said.
According to him, achieving the 20-gold-medal mark would significantly improve Nigeria’s standing on the overall medals table and potentially place the country among the top five nations at the Commonwealth Games.
“Twenty gold medals would place Nigeria among the first five countries at the Commonwealth Games. That is not too much for Nigerians to ask, and it is not beyond our capabilities,” he added.
The ambitious target reflects the renewed determination of the National Sports Commission to strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness on the international stage through improved athlete welfare, scientific performance analysis, and sustained government support.
With camping arrangements finalized and preparations gathering momentum, Team Nigeria will be aiming to translate the extensive investment in its athletes into podium finishes and a memorable outing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
