Former Nigerian sprinter, Deji Aliu, has predicted that United States-based rave of the moment, Kanyinsola Ajayi, will be the country’s first male athlete to win an Olympic and World Championships top spot.

Long jumper Chioma Ajunwa remains Nigeria’s first and only individual Olympic gold medallist, following her victory at Atlanta 1996.

Ajayi travelled alongside other members of Team Nigeria from their Aberdeen training camp to Glasgow yesterday, ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

He won the London Diamond League at the weekend with a time of 9.84 seconds, beating top American athletes and others to the title.

Deji Aliu, who finished fourth in the 100m event at the Manchester 2002 edition of the Commonwealth Games, grabbed a gold medal for Nigeria at the Abuja 2003 All Africa Games, and was part of the country’s relay team that won a bronze medal at the Athens 2004 Olympics.

Aliu was also part of the nation’s 4×100 squad that got a medal at the 1992 World Junior Athletics Championships.

Speaking on Ajayi’s rising status, Aliu said that he might become Nigeria’s first gold medallist in next year’s Worlds in Beijing, China and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

“Ajayi is in great form no doubt,” Aliu said. “If he keeps this trajectory, I genuinely believe in my projection we are looking at Nigeria’s first individual Olympic or World Champion.”

Aliu, who is now one of Nigeria’s best-known sprint coaches, however, stated that for Ajayi to achieve such a dream, he needs to be focused.

“And most importantly, he has to stay healthy, injury-free and keep doing what is working for him,” Aliu stated.

The athletics events of the Commonwealth Games begin on July 27 at the Scotstoun Stadium, where Nigerian sports officials are hoping the athletics team will boost their aim to do well on the medals table.

Team Nigeria’s chef de mission to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Olympian Yusuf Alli, is confident of another glorious outing for the country.

Four years ago in Birmingham, Alli led Team Nigeria to the Commonwealth Games as General Manager, where the country grabbed its highest gold medals (12 gold).

Speaking with The Guardian on arrival in Glasgow yesterday, Alli said: “The performance of our top athletes like Kanyinsola Ajayi, Tobi Amusan, Samuel Ogazi, Ella Onojuwvehwo, among others, is giving me joy. My prayer is for them to get things right when the Games begin.

“We are hoping to increase Nigeria’s gold medals this time around.”