President Tinubu to officially send off Team Nigeria to 2026 Commonwealth Games on Thursday

President Tinubu to officially send off Team Nigeria to 2026 Commonwealth Games on Thursday

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will, on Thursday, send off Team Nigeria, ahead of the contingent’s departure to the United Kingdom for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The send-off event, which will take place at the Presidential Villa, is part of the President's show of support for the Nigerian contingent before they depart the shores of the nation to begin the final phase of preparations before the Games.

President Tinubu is expected to charge the athletes and officials to compete with honour and resilience for which Nigerians are renowned.

Nigeria is looking to build on its impressive outing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where the country emerged as the highest-ranked African nation on the medals table after winning 35 medals comprising 12 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze.

Team Nigeria has been in camp in Abuja, where athletes have been undergoing intensive training in preparation for the Games. The contingent is scheduled to depart Nigeria on Friday for Aberdeen, Scotland, to undertake a three-week training camp before proceeding to Glasgow, the host city of the Games.

Nigeria will compete in 10 sports at the Commonwealth Games, with a contingent of 74 athletes expected to represent the country.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place from July 23 to August 2, bringing together athletes from across the Commonwealth to compete for honours in various sporting events.

President Tinubu has previously expressed confidence in Nigeria's ability to excel on the international stage and has constantly assured athletes of the Federal Government’s support at all times.