President Bola Tinubu has charged Team Nigeria to compete with courage, discipline and integrity at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, urging the athletes to make the country proud through fair competition.
Key highlight:
- Tinubu rallies Team Nigeria: President Bola Tinubu urged Nigerian athletes to compete with courage, discipline, integrity and patriotism at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
- Integrity over medals: The President stressed that every victory should reflect Nigeria’s values, warning athletes against conduct that could tarnish the country’s reputation.
- Anti-doping reforms highlighted: Tinubu cited the Nigerian Anti-Doping Act and the inauguration of the Nigerian Anti-Doping Centre board as key steps toward clean sports and international compliance.
- Government pledges sports investment: The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continued investment in sports development, expressing confidence that Nigeria could achieve its best-ever Commonwealth Games performance.
- 72 athletes for Glasgow: Team Nigeria will compete with a 72-member contingent across 10 sports, with the athletes pledging to represent the country with honour.
The President gave the charge on Thursday through his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a presidential send-off ceremony at the State House in Abuja ahead of the team’s departure for the Games.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the athletes as ambassadors of Nigeria’s resilience, talent and determination, expressing confidence in their ability to excel on the global stage.
The Nigerian delegation was led to the State House by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, alongside the commission’s Director-General, Bukola Olopade, and the Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, Philip Shaibu.
Addressing the athletes, the President urged them to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, stressing that success should be achieved through discipline, hard work and respect for the rules.
“You have trained for this moment. You have sacrificed for this moment. Go to Glasgow with confidence, discipline and unity. Go with patriotism and with the mindset that Nigeria can stand with the very best in the world,” he said.
Tinubu said every medal won should reflect Nigeria’s values, adding that integrity was more important than victory. He also warned against any conduct that could damage the country’s reputation, recalling Nigeria’s experience at the previous Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and urging the athletes to learn from it.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to clean sports, highlighting the enactment of the Nigerian Anti-Doping Act and the inauguration of the board of the Nigerian Anti-Doping Centre as measures aimed at strengthening the country’s anti-doping framework.
He said the reforms would protect athletes, ensure compliance with international standards and guarantee that Nigerian sporting achievements earn global respect.
Tinubu also pledged continued investment in sports development and expressed confidence that Team Nigeria could surpass the country’s best-ever Commonwealth Games performance.
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Earlier, Shehu Dikko thanked the President for approving the ceremonial send-off, saying the administration had given Nigerian sports renewed attention through policies promoting youth development, national unity, economic growth and international recognition.
Bukola Olopade also praised the government’s reforms, noting that they had attracted increased private-sector investment in sports.
Speaking on behalf of the athletes, Team Nigeria captain Oluwafemi Folashade assured the President that the contingent would represent the country with honour and work to restore Nigeria’s sporting glory.
Nigeria will compete with a 72-member contingent across 10 sports at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
