Nigeria Qualifies for World Athletics Relays

By Emmanuel Kwada

All six of Nigeria’s athletics-entered relay teams have been cleared by World Athletics to compete at the 2026 World Athletics Relays, scheduled for May 2-3 at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) announced the milestone, crediting strategic investments, close collaboration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and the emergence of promising young talent.

NSC Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade described the achievement as a “significant milestone” that underscores the Commission’s commitment to athlete development and global competitiveness.

Nigeria relay Team

Nigerian squads sealed their places through strong performances in recent competitions, including events in Gaborone and the MTN Championships in Calabar. The qualified teams include: Men’s 4x400m secured qualification with a solid time of 3:02.98 at the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone, showcasing depth in the one-lap event; Women’s 4x400m delivered a season’s best of 3:31.14 in Calabar, elevating Nigeria’s world ranking and confirming their spot among the top contenders; Mixed 4x100m produced an impressive performance, including a time of 41.45 seconds that highlighted speed and seamless baton exchanges.

Reports indicate World Athletics has now confirmed eligibility for Nigeria across all six relay disciplines (men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, plus both mixed events), overcoming earlier uncertainties and setbacks in some sprint relays during the qualification window, which closed around April 5.

This feat reflects the rising profile of young Nigerian athletes.

This full clearance marks a notable turnaround and reflects improved preparation, despite earlier challenges such as baton mishaps in the women’s 4x100m and tight margins in the men’s sprint relay at the Botswana National Trials.

Olopade praised the results as evidence of growing returns on the NSC’s support for the AFN, including funding for training camps, international exposure, and grassroots programs.

“This feat reflects the rising profile of young Nigerian athletes, the power of strong teamwork, and our deliberate focus on building a sustainable pipeline for success,” he stated.

AFN officials, including President Tonobok Okowa, have also acknowledged the NSC’s backing, which enabled the federation to field competitive teams and pursue qualification aggressively in the final windows.

With less than three weeks until the competition, focus now shifts to final preparations, including fine-tuning baton exchanges and race strategies.

NSC and AFN officials are expected to provide further updates on team composition and support logistics.

This development signals renewed momentum in Nigerian track and field, where relay events have long been a source of national pride.

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