Nigeria is rolling out its heavy artillery for the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia, with African record-holder and Commonwealth medallist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi appointed to lead a formidable 25-man athletics team as they target the nation’s best-ever medal haul at the Games.
The official Games platform confirmed Nigeria’s full athletics roster for the event scheduled from November 7–21 at the 22,000-capacity Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium, where elite athletes from across the Islamic world will do battle for podium glory.
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This year marks a return to the Games’ four-year rhythm after the COVID-induced delay that shifted the 2021 edition in Turkey to 2022. Nigeria, which secured three silver and one bronze in athletics in 2017 and 11 medals overall in its Islamic Games history, is now eyeing a breakthrough performance.
Enekwechi, the dominant force in African shot put, headlines a squad brimming with quality and experience. On the women’s side, two-time African champion and Commonwealth gold medallist Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons spearheads the throws contingent, with expectations high for a medal sweep across the shot put, discus, and hammer categories.
Nigeria’s men’s sprint unit remains a major talking point, powered by Olympic finalist Enoch Adegoke, who leads the 100m and 200m lineup alongside Chidera Ezeakor, James Emmanuel, and Caleb John. The 400m charge will be anchored by Ezekiel Asuquo, David Akhalu, and Gafari Badmus.
The women’s team boasts a balanced mix of pace, power, and experience: Anita Enaruna and Chioma Nweke headline the short sprints, Patience Okon George returns over 400m, while Comfort James takes on the 800m. In the field, Divine Oladipo, Oyesade Olatoye, Obiageri Amaechi, and national javelin queen Victoria Kparika add proven medal pedigree.
Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, underscored the significance of the Games to Nigeria’s long-term Olympic plan:
“It fits into our strategic Olympic pathway heading to LA 2028. This team has the capacity to deliver, and Saudi Arabia is another opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s athletic strength.”
With a roster stacked with continental champions, Olympians, and rising stars, Team Nigeria arrives with a clear mandate — rewrite history, dominate the track and field, and elevate the country’s status at the Islamic Solidarity Games.
