Amusan, Ajayi, Ogazi headline Commonwealth Games Trials in Lagos

Team Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, will gather momentum this weekend as the nation’s leading athletes converge on the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos for the Commonwealth Games Trials. The three-day competition, scheduled for June 20 to 22, serves as the mandatory selection event for athletes seeking […]

Team Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, will gather momentum this weekend as the nation’s leading athletes converge on the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos for the Commonwealth Games Trials.

The three-day competition, scheduled for June 20 to 22, serves as the mandatory selection event for athletes seeking places on Team Nigeria’s roster for the Games later this summer.

According to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), 32 events will be contested, with particular attention on 14 marquee events expected to produce world-class performances and intense rivalries.

The championships are expected to feature a fascinating battle between Nigeria’s home-based athletes and a growing contingent of elite performers from the United States collegiate system, setting the stage for one of the most competitive national championships in recent years.

Without doubt, the men’s and women’s 100m, 200m and 400m races will dominate discussions throughout the competition.

Leading the cast in the women’s sprint hurdles is African record holder and world champion Tobi Amusan, who appears to have rediscovered the form that made her one of the world’s most feared athletes.

Amusan successfully defended her African title earlier this season before embarking on an impressive Diamond League campaign. She finished third in Shanghai, second in Xiamen and produced a stunning victory in Rabat, equalling her season’s best of 12.28 seconds while breaking her own meeting record.

The 29-year-old recently added another gold medal to her collection after winning the New Taipei Athletics Open in Taiwan in a meet-record 12.72 seconds.

While Amusan enters the Trials as the overwhelming favourite in the women’s 100m hurdles, Adaobi Tabogo is expected to provide strong competition.

The men’s 100m promises to be one of the most captivating events of the championships. All eyes will be on Kanyinsola Ajayi, the Auburn University star who has emerged as Nigeria’s latest sprint sensation.

Ajayi stunned the athletics world at the NCAA East Regional Championships when he clocked 9.84 seconds to break the long-standing Nigerian record of 9.85 seconds set by Olusoji Fasuba two decades ago. He further underlined his exceptional form by running a wind-assisted 9.72 seconds at the NCAA Championships.

However, Ajayi will face formidable opposition from Chidera Ezeakor, Olympian Enoch Adegoke, Israel Okon and Favour Ashe.

The women’s sprint races are equally loaded with talent. The depth of Nigerian sprinting will be showcased by Blessing Ogundiran, Rosemary Nwankwo, Rosemary Chukwuma, Maria Thompson and teenage sensation Miracle Ezechukwu.

Both Chukwuma and Ogundiran have already broken the 11-second barrier, while Nwankwo and Ezechukwu possess the ability to spring surprises in Lagos.

Perhaps no athlete has generated more excitement this season than Samuel Ogazi. The University of Alabama star, who turned 20 last month, recently clocked a personal best of 43.38 seconds in the 400m, moving to the top of the world rankings and establishing himself as one of the brightest talents in global athletics.

His emergence has renewed hopes for Nigeria in an event that once produced world-class stars but has struggled for consistency in recent years.

However, Ogazi will not have things all his own way, with Ezekiel Asuquo, Gafari Badmus and Sikiru Adeyemi also expected to challenge for podium places.

The women’s 400m is equally stacked with talent. Ella Onojuvwevwo heads a field that includes Jecinta Lawrence, Esther Okon, Toheebat Jimoh and veteran Patience Okon-George.

African record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel enters the Trials as the athlete to beat in the men’s 400m hurdles. The Baylor University standout has consistently tested himself against elite international opposition and remains one of Africa’s most accomplished performers in the event.

Given his record-breaking pedigree and current form, Nathaniel is widely expected to dominate in Lagos.

Beyond the track, several field events are expected to produce performances of international significance.

In the men’s shot put, Nigeria’s most dependable field athlete, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, remains the headline attraction.

Earlier this month, Enekwechi won gold at the Znamensky Memorial in Russia with a throw of 21.27m before finishing second at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, with an even better effort of 21.43m—just 0.67m short of his African record of 22.10m.

Over the years, he has consistently delivered medals and podium finishes for Nigeria on the international stage and remains the country’s strongest medal prospect in the throwing events.

The men’s javelin competition will feature one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising stars, Chinecherem Nnamdi.

Nnamdi recently produced a sensational throw of 82.26m in the United States before becoming the first Nigerian man to win the NCAA javelin title. The historic achievement further enhanced his reputation as one of the most exciting young throwers in world athletics.

His appearance in Lagos is expected to be one of the major attractions of the Trials.

The women’s high jump will feature NCAA champion Temitope Adeshina, whose rise has been one of the success stories of the collegiate season.

The Texas Tech junior produced a near-perfect performance to win the NCAA outdoor title, clearing her first six heights without a fault before soaring over 1.99m.

The victory completed an unbeaten season and secured a rare NCAA indoor and outdoor high jump sweep. It also marked her third NCAA title, making her only the second female athlete in Texas Tech history to win at least three NCAA championships.

The women’s long jump will be illuminated by the presence of Ese Brume, one of Nigeria’s most decorated athletes.

A World Championships medallist, Commonwealth Games champion and multiple African champion, Brume remains one of the country’s most accomplished track and field stars. Her consistency on the global stage has made her a role model for younger athletes, and fans will be eager to see her return to national competition.

Adding further significance to the championships is the introduction of prize money for outstanding home-based athletes and coaches.

For the first time in many years, athletes competing on Nigerian soil will have an opportunity to earn financial rewards through the Excellence in Athletics Prize, an initiative designed to encourage excellence and recognise exceptional performances.

AFN Second Vice-President Aku Aghazu has earmarked more than N3 million for the awards, which she is sponsoring in memory of her late father, Ben Aghazu.

The federation said the initiative has already attracted support from former athletes, including Gbolahan Fatuga, as well as athletics stakeholders such as Kunle Oguneye, who will reward the winners of the women’s 200m and 400m events.

 

NSC pledges transparent selection process

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent, competitive and merit-based selection process as Nigeria intensifies preparations for Glasgow.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city.

With Olympic and World Championship stars, NCAA champions, African record holders and emerging talents all converging on Lagos, the Commonwealth Games Trials promise three days of elite competition as athletes battle for the opportunity to represent Nigeria on one of sport’s biggest stages.