Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nigeria's medal prospects at the 2026 Commonwealth Games received a significant boost on Thursday as world 100m hurdles record holder Tobi Amusan arrived at Team Nigeria's training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland. The reigning Commonwealth Games champion joins the national contingent with just days remaining before the start of the Glasgow 2026 Games, ready to defend the title she has held since 2018.
Amusan's arrival in Aberdeen comes after a highly impressive campaign on the Diamond League circuit, where she has already secured her place in the season-ending final in Brussels. The 29-year-old has enjoyed another stellar season, successfully defending her African title in Ghana and posting a season's best of 12.28 seconds—a time she has recorded on three separate occasions this year. With her form peaking at exactly the right moment, expectations are high that she will deliver another golden performance in Scotland.
Amusan will begin the competition as one of the overwhelming favourites for gold in the women's 100m hurdles. She will face a competitive field that includes Jamaica's Megan Simmonds and Kerrica Hill, South Africa's Marione Fourie, England's Emma Nwofor, Barbados' Adeyah Brewster and Maya Rollins, Canada's Mariam Abdul-Rashid and Tatiana Aholou, Ghana's Evonne Britton, Kenya's Rukia Nusra Omulisia, and Australia's Michelle Jenneke. However, the two-time Commonwealth champion's pedigree and experience make her the athlete to beat.
Team Nigeria opened its pre-Games training camp in Aberdeen last week, with athletes undergoing final preparations at the Aberdeen Sports Village. The camp has been crucial for acclimatisation and fine-tuning ahead of the multi-sport event, which begins in Glasgow next week. However, Nigeria's preparations have been dealt a major blow following the withdrawal of long jump star Ese Brume through injury. Brume, the defending Commonwealth champion and Games record holder with a leap of 7.00 metres, has been ruled out of the Games. In her absence, Ruth Usoro has been drafted into the squad and will compete alongside Prestina Ochonogor in the women's long jump.
The arrival of Amusan coincides with the National Sports Commission's announcement of a comprehensive athlete welfare and incentive package designed to ensure Team Nigeria is well supported before and during the Games. Under the initiative approved by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, every athlete and official received ₦250,000 to cover flight costs to the national camp in Abuja. An additional ₦250,000 has also been approved for each athlete and official to facilitate early booking of return flights after the Games.
The Commission has also significantly increased local camping allowances, with athletes now receiving ₦5,000 per day, up from between ₦1,000 and ₦2,000, while officials will receive ₦7,500 daily. Athletes at the overseas camp in Aberdeen are receiving 150 US dollars per day, while coaches are entitled to 200 US dollars daily. Competition allowances have also been reviewed upwards: athletes will now receive 200 US dollars per day during the Games, while coaches will earn 250 US dollars daily.
Beyond financial incentives, Team Nigeria has been equipped with upgraded PUMA competition kits comprising about 20 items, including premium luggage and two durable travel boxes for each athlete. The Federal Government has also approved an enhanced medal reward package: gold medallists will receive an instant cash reward of 3,000 US dollars, with silver medallists earning 2,000 US dollars and bronze medallists 1,000 US dollars. Coaches of medal winners will receive matching rewards, and medal-winning athletes will receive separate performance bonuses paid directly into their bank accounts—5,000 US dollars for gold, 3,000 US dollars for silver and 2,000 US dollars for bronze. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to host Team Nigeria's medallists after the Games in recognition of their achievements.
With Amusan now in camp and morale boosted by the improved welfare package, Team Nigeria will be hoping to convert thorough preparation into podium finishes when the Commonwealth Games begin in Glasgow next week. The 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to run from July 23 to August 3, will see Nigeria field a contingent of 74 athletes across multiple sports. Athletics will once again lead the charge, with stars including Amusan, Samuel Ogazi, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, and the relay teams expected to be among the podium contenders. For Amusan, the target is clear: a third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal to add to an already glittering collection of international honours.
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