President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian athletes representing the country at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, to compete with courage, discipline, integrity, and patriotism as they prepare to fly the nation’s flag on the global stage.
The President gave the charge on Thursday during a Presidential Send-Off Ceremony held at the State House, Abuja, where he was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Addressing the 72-member Team Nigeria delegation, Tinubu described the athletes as ambassadors of the country’s resilience and talent, expressing confidence in their ability to deliver strong performances and surpass Nigeria’s previous achievements at the Games.
He urged them to compete with unity and determination, while upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship.
“You have trained for this moment, you have sacrificed for this moment,” the President said. “Go to Glasgow with confidence, discipline, and unity. Compete with courage, honour and integrity. Win clean.”
Tinubu stressed that while winning medals is important, integrity and fair play must remain the foundation of any success recorded at the Games.
“Medals are valuable, but integrity is priceless,” he said, adding that Nigeria must be known globally not only for talent but also for discipline and respect for sporting rules.
He also referenced lessons from past competitions, urging the athletes to avoid mistakes that could undermine the country’s reputation on the international stage.
The President highlighted ongoing government reforms in sports administration, including the signing of the Nigerian Anti-Doping Act and the inauguration of the National Anti-Doping Centre board, which he said demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to clean sports and global best practices.
Tinubu assured the athletes of full government support, stating that the entire nation would be behind them and hoping for a record-breaking performance at the Games.
“Our target is clear: we want Team Nigeria to surpass its best-ever Commonwealth Games performance,” he said.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, who led the delegation, thanked the President for his support, describing the administration’s focus on sports as unprecedented and impactful for youth development and national unity.
He also noted increased private sector interest in Nigerian sports, expressing optimism that improved results would attract further sponsorship and international partnerships.
Team Nigeria captain, Oluwafemi Ayo Folashade, pledged that the athletes would represent the country with pride and work to restore national honour at the competition.
The Nigerian contingent would compete in 10 sporting events at the Glasgow Games, with officials expressing confidence in a strong medal performance built on discipline, fairness, and excellence.
