Team Nigeria emerges Africa’s best at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Team Nigeria has emerged as the highest-ranked African nation at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, finishing seventh overall after an impressive campaign that yielded 24 medals.

The Nigerian contingent won 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals, placing ahead of fellow African nations South Africa, which finished 11th with seven gold medals, and Kenya, which placed 13th with three gold medals.

Nigeria’s medal haul was driven by standout performances in athletics, para-powerlifting, weightlifting and wrestling, with several athletes achieving historic milestones during the Games.

Among the biggest highlights was Samuel Ogazi’s victory in the men’s 400 metres, making him the first Nigerian to win Commonwealth gold in the event. Ezekiel Nathaniel also made history by claiming Nigeria’s first-ever gold medal in the men’s 400m hurdles.

In the field events, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi secured gold in the men’s shot put, while Esther Nworgu delivered a gold medal in the women’s lightweight para-powerlifting event. Goodness Nwachukwu added to Nigeria’s success with a world record performance en route to gold in the women’s F42 discus.

Nigeria also claimed medals on the track, with Udodi Onwuzurike winning silver in the men’s 200 metres and world record holder Tobi Amusan earning bronze in the women’s 100m hurdles despite competing through injury. The country’s relay teams further boosted the medal tally with bronze medals in the mixed 4x400m relay and the men’s 4x100m relay.

The Glasgow 2026 Games featured a reduced programme of 10 sports compared to previous editions, making Nigeria’s performance particularly notable as the country maximised its opportunities in its strongest disciplines.

Reacting to the performance, officials praised the athletes for their resilience and consistency throughout the competition.

Performance Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Victor Okorie, described the outing as one of the country’s finest Commonwealth Games campaigns.

“When this achievement is viewed in its proper context, Glasgow 2026 stands as an exceptional Commonwealth Games campaign for Nigeria. It is a triumph of quality over quantity, excellence over circumstance and determination over limitation,” he said.

The National Sports Commission also commended Team Nigeria’s discipline and preparation, saying the results reaffirm the country’s status as one of Africa’s leading sporting nations.

With 24 medals and a seventh-place finish overall, Team Nigeria concluded the Glasgow Games as Africa’s top-performing nation, underscoring its strength across athletics, combat sports and para-sport events.