The National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed strong confidence in Team Nigeria ahead of the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships scheduled to hold in Accra, Ghana, from May 12 to 17.
A total of 41 Nigerian athletes will represent the country at the six-day continental event, with the team already arriving in Accra ahead of Monday’s opening ceremony.
Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, charged the athletes to compete with confidence, discipline, and patriotism as worthy ambassadors of the nation.
According to Olopade, Team Nigeria has continued to demonstrate remarkable growth and consistency on both the continental and global stage, expressing optimism that the athletes would once again make the country proud in Ghana.
He described the championship as another opportunity for Nigeria to showcase the depth of talent available in its athletics programme, noting that the squad boasts a healthy mix of experienced international stars and emerging young athletes.
The Nigerian contingent comprises 17 male and 24 female athletes who will compete in 26 track and field events as the country seeks to sustain its impressive rise in African athletics.
Leading Team Nigeria’s charge is world record holder and sprint hurdles queen, Tobi Amusan, alongside several top home-based and foreign-based athletes already in Accra ahead of the competition.
Olopade reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for athletes and sports federations to thrive, adding that the commission believes Team Nigeria possesses the quality, preparation, and competitive spirit needed to challenge the best athletes on the continent.
The NSC also commended the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for its preparations ahead of the championships, coming on the heels of Nigeria securing four world event tickets at the World Relays Championships in Gaborone, Botswana.
