The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has unveiled a list of 20 boxers for the final phase of trials ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as the federation intensifies preparations for the global multi-sport event.
The selected pugilists—comprising 10 male and 10 female athletes—earned their places after reaching the finals at the recently concluded National Boxing Week and Commonwealth Games Open Trials held in Lagos.
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Headlining the women’s category is UK-based African Games gold medalist Patricia Mbata, who leads a competitive group of finalists.
Other female boxers on the list include Uddete Happiness (51kg), Gafar Fathia (51kg), Ajisola Kadijat (57kg), Gbadamosi Aishat (57kg), Sodipe Damilola (60kg), Ismail Abibat (60kg), Orakwe Blessing (70kg), James Queen (70+kg), and Odoka Celestina (70+kg).
In the men’s division, diaspora boxer Kenneth Anigboro emerged as the standout performer after claiming the top spot in the 90kg category.
He is joined by Ogunremi Michael (55kg), Habeeb Qazeem (55kg), Abdulrahmon Abdulwahab (65kg), Salim Rildwan (65kg), Folly Hassan (70kg), Nwoha Precious (70kg), Daniel Joshua (80kg), Sharafadeen Fawas (80kg), and Abiodun Adesoji (90kg).
The 20 finalists will be joined by another 20 boxers—mostly semifinalists from the open trials—to form a 40-man training camp squad for the final screening phase.
The rigorous camping programme will involve continuous assessments that will ultimately determine the 10 boxers who will represent Nigeria at the Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The five-day national trials held in Lagos attracted a total of 128 boxers, including 121 men and 27 women, competing across ten weight categories.
Vice President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Hon. Omonlei Imadu, praised the resilience and determination displayed by the athletes and officials during the trials, noting that the level of competition indicates strong medal prospects for Nigeria at the Games.
Imadu also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to sports development, adding that the support of the National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade, has provided the necessary motivation for the federation to aim high.
“We have moved focus now to the camping phase. Our aim is to ensure that the boxers are in perfect shape during and after the camping,” Imadu said.
“Our target is 10 medals—six gold—while the others can come in silver and bronze. We are truly determined to make this a reality in Glasgow.”
Speaking at the event, NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the national trials, highlighting the participation of diaspora athletes as a positive sign for the future of Nigerian boxing.
“Firstly, I wish to congratulate the NBF board for a very successful national trials, the Vice President Hon. Omonlei Imadu for showing great leadership in the absence of the president, and the boxers for their desire to bring glory to our nation,” Olopade said.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure Nigeria has a successful outing at the Games, and the prospects in boxing truly excite me.”
Nigeria will be looking to surpass its performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where nine fighters led by captain Abdul-Afeez Osoba secured four medals.
Elizabeth Oshoba won silver, while Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe, and Ifeanyi Onyekwere claimed bronze medals.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, with boxing featuring across 14 events—seven for men and seven for women.
