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Nigeria’s young stars are heading to history. Nineteen athletes will fly the flag at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, the first Olympic sporting event ever staged on African soil, starting on 31 October.
Track youngster Rosemary Nwankwo and table tennis sensation Mathew Kuti lead the 12 women and seven men who will compete across six sports: athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball.
Athletics has the biggest share with nine athletes: Treasure Omosiwe, Rosemary Nwankwo, Rita Chisom Ezeh, Faith Ezechukwu, Praise Ugoh, Gift Bright, Gift Oghenerunor, Obanla Ehuwa and Godswill Nkemakolam. They will compete in the 100m, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 400m, shot put, high jump and javelin throw.
In boxing, Shukurat Mayowa will fight in the women’s 48kg category. Ringnan Danjuma will ride in the women’s road race and individual time trial in cycling.
Swimming has four representatives: Akinsanmi Omolola, Kristabel Chisa Oldeide, Aidan Dumuje-Abili and Kashope Obatoyinbo. Favour Ojo and Mathew Kuti will contest the singles and mixed doubles in table tennis. Pamela Bawa and Joy Lawrence will team up in women’s beach volleyball.
Team Nigeria departs Abuja for Dakar on 29 October. The opening ceremony holds on 31 October at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, where table tennis and beach volleyball also begin. Swimming starts on 1 November, boxing runs from 7 to 12 November, and athletics and road cycling take place on selected dates between 8 and 10 November.
The Games offer Nigeria’s young athletes a platform to gain international exposure, test themselves against the world’s best emerging talents and build experience for future elite competition.
