Team Nigeria wrapped up its campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Sunday with a seventh place finish and the pride of being Africa’s best performing nation in Glasgow.
With a 72 athlete team, Nigeria ended the Games on 24 medals 10 gold, 7 silver and 7 bronze behind Australia, England, Canada, India, Scotland and New Zealand. The tally fell short of the 35 medals won in Birmingham four years ago, but the quality of performances made this one of Nigeria’s most memorable outings at the Games.
Australia led the final medal table with 171 medals, including 70 gold. England followed with 110, while Canada took third with 62. India and hosts Scotland were tied on 39 medals, with New Zealand on 36. South Africa, Nigeria’s closest continental rival, finished 11th.
The medals started coming early for Nigeria, and para powerlifting set the tone. Esther Nworgu opened the account with gold in the women’s lightweight event, breaking the Commonwealth record twice, while Esther Oyema added silver for a Nigerian one two. Team captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo then dominated the women’s heavyweight category, lifting 175kg and breaking the world record twice to take gold. Rita Ferdinand also impressed with a world record lift of 158kg in the +79kg class to win silver.
From the gym to the track and field, Nigeria kept the momentum. Samuel Ogazi struck gold in the men’s 400m in 44.25 seconds, and Ezekiel Nathaniel added another with victory in the men’s 400m hurdles. In the field, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi made history with 21.07m to win Nigeria’s first ever Commonwealth men’s shot put title.
There were more podium finishes across athletics. Ruth Usoro leapt to silver in the women’s long jump, while Udodi Onwuzurike improved on his Birmingham showing to take silver in the men’s 200m behind South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile. Ella Onojuvwevwo claimed bronze in the women’s 400m, and world record holder Tobi Amusan added bronze in the women’s 100m hurdles.
The men’s 4x100m relay gave fans one of the most dramatic moments of the Games. Favour Ashe, Kanyinsola Ajayi, Nicholas Fakorede and Onwuzurike ran 38.12 seconds to cross third. Nigeria was briefly upgraded to silver after Canada’s disqualification, but the Canadians won their appeal and reclaimed second. Australia took gold in 38.07, Canada silver in 38.11, and Nigeria held on to bronze. The mixed 4x400m team also added bronze in the event’s Commonwealth debut.
Medals also came from weightlifting and judo, rounding off a campaign that saw Nigeria win in multiple sports and break several records along the way.
By the close of competition, Nigeria’s 10 gold, 7 silver and 7 bronze placed it top among African nations, with South Africa next on the continent. It was not the biggest medal haul in Nigeria’s Commonwealth history, but it was a Games defined by breakthroughs, resilience and new names announcing themselves.
Final Top 10 Medal Table
Rank|Country |Gold| Silver|Bronze|Total
1 Australia 70 45 56 171
2 England 29 45 36 110
3 Canada 19 20 23 62
4 India 13 17 9 39
5 Scotland 13 9 17 39
6 New-Zealand 10 14 12 36
7 Nigeria 10 7 7 24
8 Jamaica 10 4 5 19
9 Wales 9 10 12 31
10 Malaysia 8 3 5 16