President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigeria’s athletics relay team to represent the country with pride and determination as they compete at the 8th World Athletics Relays Championship, which begins in Gaborone, Botswana.
The competition features 743 athletes from 40 nations, with qualification places for the 2027 World Championships and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship also at stake.
According to a statement from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, conveyed the President’s message after the team’s final training session.
Olopade highlighted the value of athletics to Nigeria’s sporting development, saying: ”Athletics have always been one of the most productive sports for our country in terms of empowerment and capacity building.”
He also noted his long-standing involvement with the competition:
“And on a personal level, this particular championship is my fourth World Relay that I am attending, long before I became the NSC DG.”
Emphasising the importance of relay events to Nigeria, he added: ”The relays are a big deal because Nigeria at every major multi sport competition always looks forward to the relays. As you know this is not just about this relay because it is a qualifier for the World Championship.”
Delivering the President’s encouragement, Olopade told the athletes: “I want to appeal to you athletes to do this for yourselves, for the country, for your various states, and above all, do this for President Bola Tinubu, GCFR.
”And the President’s words are always very clear, do well and come back to a grateful nation.”
Team Nigeria begins its campaign with a difficult draw in the mixed 4x400m heats, scheduled for the opening day.
They will compete against powerhouses including the Netherlands, Jamaica, Poland, China, Japan, and Canada.
Only the top two teams from each heat, alongside the two fastest non-automatic qualifiers, will progress to the final and secure qualification for the 2027 World Championships.
The Netherlands enter as favourites with a personal best of 3:07.43, while Poland (3:09.43) and Jamaica (3:11.06) also pose serious threats.
Nigeria holds a season’s best of 3:16.13 and a personal best of 3:11.99, placing them in contention but under pressure to deliver.
Nigeria’s squad is expected to include experienced athletes such as Chidi Okezie, Ezekiel Asuquo, Gafari Badmus, Victor Ime, Samson Nathaniel, and Emmanuel Ojeli for the men’s relay, while Patience Okon-George leads the women’s lineup alongside Anita Enaruna, Toheebat Jimoh, Taiwo Kudoro, Jecinta Lawrence, and Esther Okon.
Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m team also faces a challenging heat featuring India, Poland, Brazil, China, South Africa, Ghana, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland.
Great Britain leads the field with 37.36 seconds, followed by South Africa at 37.57 and Brazil at 37.72.
Nigeria’s best entry time of 37.94 seconds keeps them within reach of qualification.
The team is expected to feature Enoch Adegoke, Favour Ashe, James Emmanuel, Chidera Ezeakor, and Tejire Godwin.
They must finish in the top two or secure one of the fastest losing times to advance.
Adegoke brings Olympic experience with a personal best of 9.98 seconds, while Ashe has clocked 9.94 seconds.
National champion Ezeakor also strengthens the squad with a season’s best of 10.15 seconds.
Defending champions South Africa, alongside Brazil, China, Ghana, and Poland, add further depth to a highly competitive field.
Nigeria Seeks Improved Relay Record
Nigeria enters the championships aiming to improve on its modest history, having won only two medals overall bronze in 2014 and gold in 2015.
With multiple qualification spots and global titles at stake, the team faces a demanding path but remains focused on keeping Nigeria competitive on the world relay stage.
