The National Sports Commission (NSC) is excited with the excellent performance of Team Nigeria’s relay teams culminating in picking six slots for the World Relays coming up in May in Gaborone, Botswana.
Director General of the Commission, Bukola Olopade stated that the achievement represents a major milestone for Nigerian athletics and reflects the Commission’s strategic goals and collaboration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
Olopade said “This is a big moment for Nigerian athletics. The qualification of all our relay teams for the World Relays Championships clearly reflects well on the National Sports Commission’s investment in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. It shows that our collaboration with sports federations is working and delivering real results,”.
He added “We are already focused on preparations for the championships in Gaborone this May. I want to appreciate the AFN and our athletes for their tireless commitment. It is particularly exciting to see some of the young athletes we have been nurturing stepping up and playing key roles alongside our established stars. This gives us great confidence for the future of Nigerian athletics.”
The Men’s 4x400m Relay team, comprising Samson Nathaniel, Emmanuel Ojeli, Victor Sampson Ime, and Sikiru Adeyemi, confirmed their qualification at the Lefika International Relays held at the National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana.
In the Mixed 4x100m Relay event, the team of Maria Omokwe, Chidera Ezeakor, James T. Emmanuel, and Jennifer Obi Chukwuka also secured qualification in Gaborone.
Nigeria’s Women’s 4x400m Relay team, Patience Okon George, Jecinter Lawrence, Anita Enaruna, and Treasure Okereke, secured qualification at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar during the MTN Champs Relays.
The NSC reaffirmed its commitment to sustained investment in athletes development, grassroots programmes, and international exposure, in line with the mandate of President Bola Tinubu vision for Nigerian sports.
...Nigeria’s Ogundiran Dips Under 10secs In US
Nigerian sprinting prodigy Blessing Ogundiran delivered a historic performance at the South Florida Invitational in Tampa, announcing herself on the global stage with a blistering run in the women’s 100 metres.
Competing for Warner University, Ogundiran stormed to victory in the final on Saturday, April 11, 2026, clocking a lifetime best of 10.98 seconds with a legal wind reading of +0.6 m/s.
The remarkable time not only secured her the win but also elevated her into an elite class of Nigerian sprinters.
With the sub-11 second run, Ogundiran becomes just the ninth Nigerian woman in history to break the prestigious barrier, underlining her rapid rise in the sport.
Even more impressive, her time currently stands as a joint world-leading mark for the season, further highlighting the significance of her achievement.
The performance signals a major breakthrough for the young athlete, whose development within the American collegiate system continues to yield outstanding results.
Her latest feat is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s growing reputation in women’s sprinting, as a new generation of athletes emerges to challenge on the global stage.
Ogundiran’s electrifying run in Tampa not only rewrote her personal record but also positioned her as one of the brightest prospects to watch in the lead-up to major international competitions.
