After three weeks of preparation at the Aberdeen camp, Team Nigeria will depart for Glasgow, venue of the 2026 Commonwealth Games on July 21.

Nigeria’s Chief d Mission to the Games, three-time Olympian, Yusuf Alli, told The Guardian, that the three weeks camping in Aberdeen has strengthened the nation’s athletes ahead of the Games.

“The purpose of having this camping in Aberdeen is to allow the athletes stay focus, relax and make corrections if possible on some of their mistakes. I can say we have realised that objective. Before our departure to Glasgow on July 21, we will continue to strategise on how to accomplish our plans of winning upto 16 gold medals or even more in Glasgow,” Yusuf Alli said.

Nigeria’s sprint star, Favour Ashe also expressed confidence in Team Nigeria’s chances of delivering strong performances in Glasgow, saying the athletes are motivated and determined to make the country proud.

“We have prepared well and everyone is focused on giving their best. Team Nigeria has a strong tradition at the Commonwealth Games, and we are confident we can compete for medals and make Nigerians proud,” Ashe said.

The Opening Ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 23, at The Hydro in Glasgow, where Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla will join thousands of athletes, officials, volunteers and spectators from across the Commonwealth to officially launch the XXIII Commonwealth Games.

The Games will feature more than 3,000 athletes representing 74 Commonwealth nations and territories competing for 215 gold medals across 10 sports over 11 days of competition.

A major highlight of the Opening Ceremony will be the official declaration of the Games by King Charles III, who will read the message placed inside the King’s Baton on Commonwealth Day, March 10, 2025, at Buckingham Palace before the Baton Relay began. The ceremony will also feature British cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, the first Batonbearer, celebrating the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth Games.

The King’s Baton Relay has completed its historic 500-day journey through all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories, the longest relay in Commonwealth Games history.

For the first time, all 74 Batons will be reunited in Glasgow, symbolising the unity, diversity and shared values of the Commonwealth.

Throughout the relay, the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Plastics Campaign, delivered in partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society, has engaged communities across member nations in environmental conservation efforts aimed at preventing one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waters.

Team Nigeria heads into Glasgow looking to build on its rich Commonwealth Games legacy, with athletes expected to challenge for medals across several sports and continue the nation’s tradition as one of Africa’s leading sporting powers.