Nigeria finished as Africa’s top-performing nation at the Commonwealth Games after collecting 24 medals, including 10 gold…..
The United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has praised Team Nigeria for its impressive showing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where the country emerged as the highest-ranked African nation.
Montgomery hosted a special reception in Abuja on Friday to honour the Nigerian athletes, coaches and officials who represented the country at the Games.
The Glasgow event featured about 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories, with Nigeria producing one of its strongest performances to finish among the overall top 10.
The Nigerian contingent secured 24 medals 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze making the country the only African nation to finish in the overall top 10.
Speaking at the reception, Montgomery said the results reflected the talent, hard work and resilience of Nigerian athletes.
“It was a pleasure to welcome Team Nigeria’s athletes, coaches and officials to celebrate their achievements at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Nigeria’s performances in Glasgow demonstrated remarkable talent, dedication and resilience,” he said.
The British envoy also highlighted the wider significance of sport in strengthening relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
“Sport has a unique ability to bring people together, and today’s reception reflects the strong and enduring partnership between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, built on shared values and longstanding Commonwealth ties,” he added.
The reception brought together members of the Nigerian delegation, including athletes, coaches and officials from the National Sports Commission and the Nigerian Olympic Committee, alongside representatives of the British High Commission.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described Nigeria’s performance as a major source of national pride and promised that the government would build on the momentum generated in Glasgow.
Dikko said the athletes, coaches and officials had demonstrated Nigeria’s potential by delivering record-breaking performances and reaching historic milestones at the Games.
“The outstanding performances of our athletes, coaches and officials in Glasgow have made the entire nation proud. Their record-breaking achievements, historic milestones and unwavering commitment have once again demonstrated Nigeria’s immense sporting potential,” he said.
He assured athletes that efforts would continue to improve the support systems around them and provide the resources required to compete successfully at future international competitions.
“We will continue to strengthen the support systems around our athletes, provide the necessary enablers to build on this momentum towards future global competitions and ensure they have every opportunity to achieve even greater success on the world stage,” Dikko said.
Head of Communications at the British High Commission in Abuja, Aseosa Uwagboe, said the reception was organised to recognise the Nigerian delegation for representing the country with distinction.
She described sport as an important link between Nigeria and the UK, noting that international competitions create opportunities for both countries to strengthen people-to-people relationships.
“This reception was an opportunity to recognise the athletes, coaches and officials who represented Nigeria with distinction at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games,” Uwagboe said.
“Sport remains one of the strongest connectors between our countries, bringing people together through shared values of determination, respect and excellence. We were delighted to welcome Team Nigeria and celebrate their achievements alongside our partners.”
Nigeria’s 24-medal haul in Glasgow places the country at the forefront of African sport and gives the national team fresh momentum ahead of future international competitions.
