GLASGOW, Scotland — The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has said President Bola Tinubu‘s administration remains committed to promptly rewarding Nigerian athletes for outstanding performances after Paralympian Roland Ezuruike received an immediate $2,000 cash reward for winning Nigeria’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Ezuruike opened Team Nigeria’s medal account by claiming silver in the men’s lightweight para powerlifting event, giving the country an encouraging start to its campaign in Glasgow.
Speaking after the medal presentation, Olopade said the instant reward demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to recognising athletes who bring honour to the nation through their performances on the international stage.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently demonstrated his commitment to rewarding athletes who make the country proud, especially those who win medals on the international stage,” he said.
“We have presented Roland with an immediate reward of $2,000 for winning silver. Of course, we were hoping for gold because he was the champion in Birmingham, but the most important thing is that Nigeria has opened its medal account on the very first day. We believe this will inspire the rest of the team.”
Olopade explained that the cash reward presented by the National Sports Commission is separate from the financial incentives provided by the Federal Government to medal-winning athletes.
He added that the Tinubu administration has prioritised athletes’ welfare, noting that the renewed focus has boosted confidence within Nigeria’s sporting community.
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“This government is fully committed to the welfare of Nigerian athletes. There is a new wave sweeping through Nigerian sports, and we want every athlete to be proud to represent this country,” he said.
The NSC Director-General also expressed optimism that Team Nigeria could record its most successful outing at the Commonwealth Games.
“We are racing against history. Our goal is to surpass every previous achievement by Team Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games. This silver medal is only the beginning. We believe we are on the threshold of something historic,” Olopade said.
