Team Nigeria is gearing up to make a strong statement at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games, as 27 African nations converge on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for what promises to be a grand festival of unity, excellence, and fierce competition.
With a 46-member delegation comprising 35 athletes and 11 officials, Nigeria joins over 800 African athletes who will compete across 21 sports in nine world-class venues from November 7 to 21, 2025.
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For Nigeria, the Games represent more than just a sporting event — they are part of a broader mission to reassert the nation’s global sporting status.
According to Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the participation underscores Nigeria’s long-term sports development plan.
“The Islamic Solidarity Games represent a great opportunity for Nigeria to showcase our talent on the global stage,” Olopade said. “This is a stepping stone toward Los Angeles 2028, and our athletes are ready to shine.”
Nigeria’s Medal Mission
Nigeria will feature in seven disciplines, with athletics expected to lead the medal charge, these are Athletics, Boxing, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, Taekwondo, Weightlifting and
Wrestling.
Beyond medals, the NSC views the Games as a key preparation platform ahead of the 2026 National Sports Festival, focusing on logistics, team management, and performance optimization.
To date, Nigeria has secured 11 medals at previous Islamic Solidarity Games — 3 gold, 6 silver, and 2 bronze — and aims to surpass that tally in Riyadh.
Africa’s Presence in Riyadh
Across the continent, enthusiasm runs high. Algeria arrives with the largest African contingent of 117 athletes, followed by Egypt (101) and Morocco (82). Mali, meanwhile, sends the smallest African team with just two athletes.
Cameroon leads Nigeria’s West African neighbors with 51 athletes, while Benin, Chad, Niger, and Côte d’Ivoire are also set to compete.
Morocco’s Olympic Committee, at its October 26 send-off, urged its athletes to “chase excellence, embody unity, and bring home the glory,” after an impressive 2022 outing in Konya, Türkiye, where they won 15 gold, 13 silver, and 34 bronze medals.
A Global Celebration of Unity
In total, 3,500 athletes from 57 nations — all members of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) — will participate in Riyadh, competing across 21 sports and three para events.
From the mat to the track, the ring to the roar of the crowd, Africa is poised to make its mark.
For Team Nigeria, the Islamic Solidarity Games are not just another competition — they are the dawn of a new Olympic dream.
Riyadh awaits. Nigeria is ready.
Participating African Nations and Delegation Sizes
Country Athletes
Algeria 117
Egypt 101
Uganda 59
Cameroon 51
Tunisia 51
Libya 46
Nigeria 35
Guinea 31
Niger 30
Côte d’Ivoire 28
Sudan 27
Senegal 23
Burkina Faso 17
Djibouti 17
The Gambia 16
Mauritania 11
Togo 10
Gabon 9
Mozambique 8
Benin 7
Chad 6
Comoros 6
Somalia 6
Guinea-Bissau 4
Mali 2
Total African Contingent: 844 Athletes
