Nigeria’s biggest athletics stars will converge on the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos this weekend for the National Trials, the mandatory qualifying event for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The three-day event, scheduled for June 20 to 22, will determine Team Nigeria’s representatives in 32 events, with 14 finals expected to provide the fiercest contests. For the first time in years, home-based athletes will compete directly against a strong contingent of United States collegiate stars, creating one of the most competitive national championships in recent memory.
World champion and African record holder Tobi Amusan headlines the women’s 100m hurdles after an impressive Diamond League campaign that includes a meeting-record victory in Rabat. Adaobi Tabogo is expected to provide her biggest challenge.
In the men’s 100m, Auburn University’s Kanyinsola Ajayi enters as favourite after breaking Olusoji Fasuba’s 20-year-old national record with a 9.84-second run before posting a wind-assisted 9.72 seconds at the NCAA Championships. Chidera Ezeakor, Enoch Adegoke, Israel Okon and Favour Ashe are among those expected to contend for honours.
The 400m events also promise fireworks. Samuel Ogazi arrives with the world’s fastest time this year, 43.38 seconds, while Ezekiel Nathaniel, Africa’s record holder in the 400m hurdles, is tipped to dominate his event. Ella Onojuvwevwo leads a strong women’s quarter-mile field featuring Jecinta Lawrence and Patience Okon-George.
In the field events, shot put specialist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi returns after recent podium finishes in Europe, while NCAA javelin champion Chinecherem Nnamdi and high jump star Temitope Adeshina are expected to attract attention. Long jump queen Ese Brume is also set to return to national competition.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the National Sports Commission view the trials as a crucial step towards assembling a medal-winning squad for Glasgow, with organisers also introducing cash rewards for home-based athletes through the Excellence in Athletics Prize initiative.
