The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has reaffirmed the Federation’s determination to secure podium finishes for Nigeria’s athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Speaking after a stakeholders’ strategy meeting in Abuja, Okowa said the AFN is building on lessons from the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where Nigeria reached four finals and won a silver medal.
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“We commend our athletes for giving Nigeria a positive image in Tokyo,” Okowa stated. “Reaching multiple finals and setting a national record showed that we are on the right path.”
The AFN boss revealed that preparations are in top gear to provide athletes with improved welfare, training, logistics, and equipment ahead of the Games, with continued backing from sponsors and the National Sports Commission.
Okowa also assured that the Federation is working to resolve outstanding issues relating to athletes’ visas and competition kits, adding that the previous arrangement with Hi-Racer was only a stopgap measure for the Tokyo event.
Highlighting the impressive form of stars such as Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, Udodi Onwuzurike, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Sunday Israel Okon, and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Okowa expressed confidence that Team Nigeria can surpass its recent international performances.
He appealed to the media to sustain positive coverage of Nigerian athletes, stressing that encouragement from home inspires stronger performances on the global stage.
“We are confident that with the right support, our athletes will deliver medals and make the nation proud in 2026,” Okowa concluded.
