Glasgow 2026 Nigeria’s best Commonwealth Games outing – AFN official
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Former Nigerian 400m hurdler and Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s Performance Director, Victor Okorie, has described Team Nigeria’s performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the beginning of a new era for the country’s sports development.
Team Nigeria competed in 10 sports with 72 athletes, winning 24 medals comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze to finish seventh on the medals table and the best performing African country at the Games.
Reacting to the performance, Okorie, who also serves as the AFN’s Athlete Liaison, said the achievement went beyond the number of medals won, noting that the team excelled despite competing in a significantly reduced Games programme.
“We are not just celebrating medals; we are celebrating a defining moment in the history of Nigerian sports,” Okorie said in a statement issued on Sunday.
“Glasgow 2026 will go down as Nigeria’s finest outing in Commonwealth Games history. What makes this achievement truly exceptional is not just the number of medals won, but the circumstances under which they were won.”
He explained that unlike previous editions, where athletes competed in about 19 or 20 sports, Glasgow 2026 featured only 10 sports, significantly reducing the number of medal opportunities available to Nigeria.
He said, “When this achievement is viewed in its proper context, there is no doubt that Glasgow 2026 represents Nigeria’s most successful Commonwealth Games
“Glasgow 2026 will go down as Nigeria’s finest outing in Commonwealth Games history. What makes this achievement truly exceptional is not just the number of medals won, but the circumstances under which they were won.”
He explained that unlike previous editions, where athletes competed in about 19 or 20 sports, Glasgow 2026 featured only 10 sports, significantly reducing the number of medal opportunities available to Nigeria.
He said, “When this achievement is viewed in its proper context, there is no doubt that Glasgow 2026 represents Nigeria’s most successful Commonwealth Games campaign ever.
It is a triumph of quality over quantity, excellence over circumstance, and determination over limitation.”
Okorie attributed the success to deliberate planning, visionary leadership and improved athlete welfare, while commending the leadership of the National Sports Commission for creating an enabling environment for the athletes.
“I wish to sincerely commend the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for providing purposeful leadership and creating an environment where our athletes could perform with confidence, pride and belief,” he said.
The AFN official also praised President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to reviving Nigerian sports, saying the government’s support had restored confidence among athletes.
“On behalf of our athletes, I can confidently say they are grateful. They have felt the support, the encouragement and the renewed sense of purpose from the leadership of the National Sports Commission. That confidence translated into outstanding performances on the field of play,” Okorie added.
Looking ahead, Okorie urged stakeholders not to become complacent, insisting that Glasgow should be seen as the foundation for even greater achievements on the global stage.
“Glasgow 2026 is not the finish line; it is the beginning of a new era for Nigerian sports,” he declared.
Let us build on this momentum as we prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. If we continue with this vision, this level of preparation and this unwavering commitment to excellence, I have every confidence that Nigeria will not only surpass this achievement but also rewrite history once again on the Olympic stage.”
Okorie, who won a silver medal in the men’s 400m hurdles at the 2003 African Games, remains one of Nigeria’s notable 400m hurdlers. He is among only 14 Nigerians to have broken the 50-second barrier in the event and is the fifth-fastest Nigerian in history over the distance, bringing a wealth of elite competitive experience to his current role in athlete development and high-performance management.
