With six days to the start of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled a comprehensive welfare and incentive package for Team Nigeria, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to athlete welfare, elite performance and rewarding sporting excellence.
The package, approved by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, introduces significant improvements in travel support, camping allowances, competition incentives and medal rewards for athletes and officials.
For the first time, every athlete and official received ₦250,000 to cover airfare to the national camp in Abuja, replacing the previous transport fare arrangement. The Commission also approved an additional ₦250,000 each to facilitate early booking of return flights after the Games.
The NSC also increased local camping allowances, raising the daily rate to ₦5,000 for athletes and ₦7,500 for officials, up from the previous ₦1,000–₦2,000. The payments have already been made. In addition, the Commission secured a 21-day high-performance training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland, providing Team Nigeria with access to world-class facilities.
For the overseas camp, athletes received $150 per day, while coaches earned $200 daily. The Commission said most payments had been completed, with only a few outstanding cases linked to banking issues. Competition allowances have also been increased to $200 per day for athletes and $250 for coaches, up from the $150 and $200 paid respectively at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Team Nigeria has also been equipped with upgraded PUMA competition kits comprising about 20 items, including premium luggage and two durable travel boxes, representing a significant improvement over previous editions.
To motivate podium finishes, the Federal Government approved an enhanced medal reward structure. Gold medalists will receive an instant cash reward of $3,000, silver medalists $2,000 and bronze medalists $1,000, with their coaches receiving corresponding rewards. Medal-winning athletes will also earn separate performance bonuses of $5,000 for gold, $3,000 for silver and $2,000 for bronze, to be paid directly into their bank accounts.
Meanwhile, 100m hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan has arrived at Team Nigeria’s training camp in Aberdeen, joining the final phase of preparations ahead of the Games. She is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s strongest medal prospects as she aims to add another major international title to her career.
