Team Nigeria has achieved a clean sweep for the 2026 World Athletics Relays, with World Athletics officially clearing the nation’s squads for all six relay events.
The confirmation, which arrived just ahead of the April 13 entry deadline, marks a significant turnaround after early qualification jitters. Nigeria will now head to Gaborone, Botswana (May 2–3, 2026), with a full contingent, ready to battle for podium spots and secure tickets for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
The Full Roster: Six Out of Six
After initially securing slots in only three disciplines, a late surge in performances at the Lefika International Relays and the Botswana National Championships pushed the remaining teams into qualifying territory.
- Men’s Events: 4x100m and 4x400m
- Women’s Events: 4x100m and 4x400m
- Mixed Events: Mixed 4x400m and the record-breaking Mixed 4x100m
Key Highlights & Recent Form
- Mixed 4x100m African Record: The quartet of Chidera Ezeakor, Maria Thompson, James Emmanuel, and Jenifer Obi recently set a blistering new African Record of 41.44s in Gaborone, making them a top medal prospect.
- Men’s 4x400m Resurgence: The team—Samson Nathaniel, Emmanuel Ojeli, Victor Sampson Ime, and Sikiru Adeyemi—solidified their spot with a season-best 3:02.98 in Botswana.
- Strategic Training: The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) credited the “Asaba Relay Camp” for fixing long-standing issues with baton exchanges, which had previously led to heart-breaking “Did Not Finish” (DNF) results for the women’s 4x100m team earlier this month.
The Road to Gaborone
The World Relays in Botswana will serve as the primary gateway for the 2027 World Championships. With the backing of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Nigeria is aiming to erase the memory of the 2025 Tokyo World Championships, where the country failed to field a single relay team.
