Former minister of sports, Chief Sunday Akinlabi Dare has cast another look at Nigeria’s seventh place finish at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and heaped plaudits on the contingent for emerging as Africa’s top team, then predicted that the nation will continue producing champions for msny years to come.
Sports247 reports that, though Dare acknowledged that Team Nigeria’s all-time best finish on the Games medals table was fourth positition, which came in 1994, he pointed out that the placement at Glasgow 2026 was the best in recent years and enthused that better days lie ahead.
Dare, who is now President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s special adviser on media and public communications, congratulated the country for the contingent’s perfromances in Glasgow, which he posited provided confirmations that the nation’s sports development agenda is on the right path.
He commended President Tinubu as well as top shots of National Sports Commission (NSC) for augmenting structures established during his tenure between 2019 and 2023, then expressed confidence that better results will come with continued support from the federal government.
While also acknowledging the need for sound administration and sustained investment, Dare affirmed that Nigeria’s sporting future remains bright through improved funding, stronger institutional backing and sustained investment in youth development.
Dare posited, “I must commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for renewing the hopes of our sportsmen and women. He has demonstrated that sports remain an important vehicle for youth empowerment, national unity and international prestige.
“His administration’s support has given our athletes renewed confidence to compete and succeed on the global stage. I also congratulate Mallam Shehu Dikko and Honourable Bukola Olopade for keeping the flag flying high.
“They have shown commitment to consolidating on the progress already made, and I have no doubt that even greater successes await Nigerian sports. It is gratifying to see that the team has maintained that upward trajectory in Glasgow.
“This consistency shows that Nigeria is making steady progress in sports development and that sustained investment and continuity will continue to deliver positive results. I believe the future is even brighter for Nigerian youths.”
