The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has announced a list of 20 boxers for the final phase of trials for the 2026 Commonwealth Games billed to hold in Glasgow, Scotland.

The selected pugilists include all the winners and finalists from the recent trials held at the Brai Ayonote Gym, National Stadium, Lagos. These include African Games champion Patricia Mbata, Happiness Uddete (51kg), Fathia Gafar (51kg), Kadijat Ajisola (57kg), Aishat Gbadamosi (57kg), Damilola Sodipe (60kg), Abibat Ismail (60kg), Blessing Orakwe (70kg), Queen James (+70kg), and Celestina Odoka (+70kg), all women.

The men selected for the final screening are Kenneth Anigboro, Michael Ogunremi (55kg), Habeeb Qazeem (55kg), Wahab Abdulrahman (65kg), Ridwan Salim (65kg), Folly Hassan (70kg), Precious Nwoha (70kg), Joshua Daniel (80kg), Fawas Sharafadeen (80kg), and Abiodun Adesoji (90kg).

According to the federation, these 20 boxers will be joined by 20 others, including semifinalists at the recent trials, to form a pool of 40 athletes for the final phase of assessment.

The federation said that it would select the final 10 boxers to represent Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Meanwhile, the NBF president, Wale Edun, has praised the courage and sportsmanship displayed by the boxers who participated in the National Open Commonwealth Games trials.

The four-day event drew 128 boxers — 121 men and 27 women — with 10 emerging champions across the weight categories.

Among them were two UK-based fighters, Patricia Mbata and Kenneth Anigboro, who claimed victories in the women’s +70kg and men’s 90kg divisions respectively.

Edun, who also serves as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, described the conduct of the athletes as exemplary. “I am excited with the turnout of boxers within and outside the country for the trials because, as a federation, we want to give every Nigerian the opportunity to wear the green and white colours in major competitions like the Commonwealth Games.

Our boxers showed maturity and sportsmanship throughout the exercise,” he said.

He emphasised that while only a select few will make the trip to Glasgow, the federation remains committed to supporting all participants.

“Taking part in the trials showed that they are worthy to represent the country. We cannot take everybody, but we will not abandon them. They should continue to work hard, as every boxer has an equal chance to make the team.”

Looking ahead, Edun expressed optimism that Nigeria can surpass the four-medal haul achieved at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.