Commonwealth Games: Go There, Win Medals And Receive Your Rewards — Tinubu Tells Team Nigeria Athletes

By Shaagee Orkula

President Bola Tinubu has charged the Nigerian contingent to the 2026 Commonwealth Games holding in Glasgow, Scotland to compete fairly, win medals and return home to receive their rewards from a grateful nation.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, during the official send-off ceremony for Team Nigeria in Abuja, Tinubu urged the athletes to compete with courage and determination, assuring them of the full support of the Federal Government.
“Go out there, win medals, and wait for a grateful nation to reward you. The President is solidly behind you. He wants you to make Nigeria proud by winning laurels,” Gbajabiamila said.
Reinforcing the President’s directive, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Hon. Sunday Dare, emphasized that the assignment before Team Nigeria is clear and unequivocal.
“The President is solidly behind Team Nigeria. The assignment is clear: go to Glasgow, win medals and make Nigeria proud,” Dare stated.
He further charged the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, to remain focused on the task ahead, avoid distractions and ensure that Team Nigeria not only delivers medals but also surpasses the country’s performance at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The Nigerian delegation is beign led by the Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the the Commission’s Director General, Bukola Olopade, who are in Glasgow, Scotland, on a presidential assignment to lead Team Nigeria’s campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
In Glasgow, Mallam Dikko will be leading Nigeria’s engagements at the Commonwealth Games Federation and ministerial meetings, representing the country’s interests at the highest policy and administrative levels while providing strategic leadership for Team Nigeria.
Hon. Olopade is serving as Nigeria’s Chef de Mission, overseeing the day-to-day management of the Nigerian delegation, including welfare and wellbeing of athletes and officials.
With Team Nigeria now fully settled at the Games Village and competition underway, the Commission remains confident that the combination of meticulous preparation, enhanced athlete welfare and unwavering presidential support will inspire the nation’s athletes to deliver another memorable Commonwealth Games performance.
Nigeria will be represented by 72 athletes across 10 sports, where they will be competing for glory and honours in athletics, 3×3 basketball, judo, boxing, track cycling, weightlifting, swimming, parapowerlifting, 3×3 wheelchair basketball and para athletics.