The Nigerian contingent to the 2026 Youth Olympics billed to hold in Dakar, Senegal, will depart from Abuja on October 29 for the Games, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has said.

The team began a 21-day local camping programme on October 9, and it will end on their departure date on October 29.

In its operational timeline for Team Nigeria’s participation in the Youth Olympic Games unveiled yesterday, the NSC said that it is fully prepared for the Games scheduled to run from October 31 to November 13, 2026.

It disclosed that the camping programme featured medical screening, anti-doping education, technical and tactical preparations, kit fitting, travel documentation and final confirmation of the team’s participation requirements.

According to the timeline, Team Nigeria is expected to arrive in Dakar on October 30 for accreditation, accommodation and equipment checks, technical meetings and familiarisation with competition venues across the three host zones of Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

The opening ceremony will take place on October 31 at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, the same day competitions begin in table tennis and beach volleyball.

The competition schedule will see beach volleyball and table tennis lead Nigeria’s campaign from October 31, with swimming beginning on November 1. Boxing is scheduled for November 7 to 12, while athletics and road cycling will take place on selected dates between November 8 and 10.

Beach volleyball will be staged at Saly Beach West, table tennis and boxing at Dakar Expo Centre, swimming at the Tour de l’Œuf Complex, road cycling along Corniche Ouest and athletics at the Iba Mar Diop Complex.

The Games will conclude with the closing ceremony on November 13 at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, after which the Nigerian contingent is expected to return to Abuja following the completion of departure formalities and equipment reconciliation.

The NSC said that the operational timeline is designed to coordinate Team Nigeria’s preparations, travel, accreditation and competition schedules, while ensuring that athletes and officials are adequately prepared for the demands of the international sporting event.

Nigeria’s participation in Dakar 2026 forms part of the country’s broader efforts to strengthen grassroots sports development, nurture emerging talents and establish a pathway for young athletes to progress to elite international competition.

The Games, which will be the first Olympic sporting event hosted on African soil, will bring together young athletes from across the world, with Team Nigeria set to compete in six sports: athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball.