Federal Government has lobbied the British government for support to win the hosting rights for the 2034 Commonwealth Games after failed efforts to host the Games in 2014 and the 2030 editions.

Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government during a reception for the country’s contingent to the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, told the British High Commissioner, Richard Montgomery, who was at the event, that the country is ready to provide all the necessary facilities needed to host successful Games.

Nigeria returned from the Games as the number one African team and the only African country in the top ten of the medals table, finishing in seventh position.

Earlier, the High Commissioner had described Nigeria as a key component of the Commonwealth family, saying that the country justified that again with the performance from Glasgow, where it finished as Africa’s best at the Games.

“The Nigerian athletes did a fantastic job to make Nigeria proud, and we are also very proud of them, which is why we are celebrating them today”.

“I also want to thank your coaches and officials for the role they played in your feat in Glasgow, and we wish you all more global success. I hope you guys enjoyed your stay in Glasgow and I hope you cherish the friendship and memories you made during the Games”.

“Team Nigeria showed its global stature once again at the Glasgow Games with all the medals it won, and we do not doubt that Nigeria does have the potential to even do more. From the High Commission here in Abuja, we are even more enthused to collaborate and partner with the National Sports Commission in every positive way to further smoothen the ongoing transformation of Nigerian sports”, he stated.

NSC Chairman, Dikko, appreciated the British High Commission for all the support it gave Team Nigeria in preparation for the Games, including prompt visa issuance and other diplomatic support for its athletes, officials and supporters.

“We commend Glasgow and the people of Scotland for being excellent hosts. The reception further demonstrated the enduring friendship and growing collaboration between the Government, the people of Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

“The Games were highly successful for Team Nigeria, winning 10 gold medals and finishing seventh overall.”

“Out of the entire 22 gold medals won by the African continent, 10 were won by Nigeria. Nigeria also set three of the six world records at the Games.

“Therefore, Glasgow provided a valuable international platform for our athletes to test themselves with some of the World’s best athletes and constituted an important stage for our Preparations for future games, especially the Olympics.

“These successes clearly validate the progress in Nigerian sports, driven by the bold and decisive transformational reforms of Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”