By Ado Salisu
Nigeria’s athletics renaissance is being powered at home. Over the last 12 months, home-based athletes have led the country’s resurgence on the continental and global stage, restoring Nigeria’s status as one of Africa’s leading track nations.
The turnaround began with the World Relays qualification campaign in Gaborone, Botswana. Backed by the National Sports Commission, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria rolled out an intensive competition and prep program. Athletes competed in three national and international meets ahead of the World Relays.
The results: Team Nigeria qualified in six relay events for the World Athletics Relays Championships. In Botswana, the relay teams secured three qualification spots for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China.
The standout moment came from the mixed 4x100m relay. Nigeria became the first African nation to qualify for the event at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest this September.
Before Gaborone, a mostly home-based squad announced its arrival at the Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia with resilient, confident performances. The same core athletes then formed the backbone of Team Nigeria at the CAA Senior Championships in Accra, Ghana, delivering results that justified the faith of coaches and administrators.
“This proves the strength of any athletics system isn’t measured by stars abroad, but by opportunities for athletes training in Nigeria,” said AFN 2nd Vice President Aku Aghazu. “Home-based athletes are the foundation of our future and remain our strategic priority.”
Aghazu said the AFN has already started year-round initiatives: more competitions, training camps, performance monitoring, and closed camps for top talents. The federation also praised the NSC’s support during the Asaba camp, whose impact showed in Botswana and Accra.
Despite funding gaps, the AFN is expanding opportunities through better competition structures, stronger school partnerships for talent ID, and coach capacity building. Prize money will be introduced for home-based athletes and top coaches at the National Trials for the first time in years.
Infrastructure is also getting a boost. The athletics stadium in Shagamu, Ogun State is undergoing full refurbishment. Babcock University will add scholarships and development support. The NSC has increased international exposure for home-based athletes.
The new generation is already stepping up: Chidera Ezeakor, Tejiri Godwin, Miracle Ezechukwu, Maria Thompson, Rosemary Nwankwo, Nathaniel Samson, Sikiru Adeyemi, Asuquo Ezekiel, Esther Okon, Gafari Badmus, and Toheebat Jimoh.
Their progress is drawing global attention. U.S. universities and top athletics clubs are offering scholarships and pro opportunities. The AFN’s Performance Director and Technical Committee are overseeing these pathways to protect Nigeria’s long-term interests.
With timely NSC funding, renewed elite camping programs, and a clear development pathway, the impact is clear: relay qualifications, World Championship berths, continental medals, and historic firsts.
“The future of Nigerian athletics won’t be built only in foreign camps,” Aghazu said. “It will be built on tracks, fields, schools, and communities across Nigeria — from Anambra to Lagos, Kaduna to Akwa Ibom, Ogun to Edo — where young talent can dream, develop, and succeed.”
Progress continues, but the last 12 months prove Nigeria’s next generation of stars is here and already making global impact.
