The leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), is full of optimism of a successful outing in Glasgow based on Nigerian athletes’ performances across the globe.

Nigeria’s medal prospects at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is gathering momentum ahead of AFN Trials in Lagos.

Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, told The Guardian during the week that their target of winning at least 20 gold medals and securing a top-five finish at the Games is realisable.
 
“We did our calculations long before now and I am sure this target is realisable in Glasgow,” Olopade said.
 
Leading the charge is world record holder Tobi Amusan, who appears to be rediscovering her best form. The women’s 100m hurdles star claimed a fourth consecutive African title in Accra, Ghana, before embarking on an impressive Diamond League campaign. She finished third in Shanghai, placed second in Xiamen and then stormed to victory in Rabat, where she equalled her season’s best of 12.28 seconds while breaking her own meeting record. 
 
Amusan recently added another title to her collection by winning gold at the New Taipei Athletics Open in Taiwan in a meet-record time of 12.72 seconds despite running into a headwind. Her consistency has firmly established her as one of Nigeria’s strongest medal hopes heading into Glasgow.
 
In the men’s 100m, Kanyinsola Ajayi has emerged as Nigeria’s newest sprint sensation. He stunned the athletics world at the NCAA East Regional Championships, where he clocked 9.84 seconds to break Olusoji Fasuba’s 20-year-old Nigerian record of 9.85 seconds. 
 
The performance not only made Ajayi the fastest Nigerian in history but also elevated him to the top of the world rankings for 2026. 
 
Ajayi will be one of the big stars to watch at the AFN national trials in Lagos from June 20 to 22.
 
The presence of Enoch Adegoke, Chidera Ezeakor and Israel Okon are expected to provide fierce competition in the men’s 100m.
 
In the 400m event, Samuel Ogazi and Ezekiel Nathaniel will be the stars to watch. Ogazi recently clocked a personal best of 43.82 seconds, a performance that propelled him to the top of the world rankings.   
 
African record holder in the 400m, Nathaniel is expected to make a significant impact, as continue to test himself against elite competition and remains one of Africa’s finest performers in the event. Nathaniel is widely regarded as a genuine medal contender.
 
The women’s sprint and relay pools are equally loaded with talent, as athletes such as Blessing Ogundiran, Rosemary Nwankwo and Miracle Ezechukwu are expected to give Nigerian athletics followers the best during the trials in Yaba, while quarter-miler Ella Onojuvwevwo with multiple sub 50s this year remains one of the country’s most exciting prospects.
 
In the field events, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi is expected to retain his title.
 
For Olopade, Nigeria will be the team to beat in most of the events, from athletics to weightlifting, wresting, para-power lifting, table tennis among others when hostilities begin at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow between July 21 and August 2.

Meanwhile, Africa’s long jump record holder and reigning Commonwealth Games champion, Ese Brume, will make her first competitive appearance of the season in her specialty this Saturday at the USTAF Los Angeles Grand Prix.
 
The event, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series, will take place at the University of Southern California’s track in Los Angeles.
 
Brume has not competed regularly since failing to reach the final of the long jump at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last year.
 
Other Nigerians who will join Brume in Los Angeles are Favour Ofili who will contest both the 100m and 200m sprints, Rosemary Chukwuma will line up in the 200m, and Ella Onojuvwevwo will compete in the 400m.
    
According to SportsNow.com, this Grand Prix serves as a crucial test for the Nigerians ahead of the busy summer season, which includes the Nigerian Championships next weekend and the Commonwealth Games, offering them the chance to sharpen their form against world-class opposition.
 
For Brume, it is an opportunity to build momentum towards the Commonwealth Games where she will be seeking to win the long jump for the third time.