Team Nigeria is set to leave for Ghana today ahead of the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, with 41 athletes selected to represent the country at the six-day event starting on Tuesday.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria confirmed that the delegation will depart through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos for the competition scheduled from May 12 to 17, while some foreign-based athletes have already linked up with the team in Accra.
Nigeria’s squad consists of 17 male and 24 female competitors who will participate in 26 track and field events at the continental championship.
AFN president Tonobok Okowa will lead the delegation, alongside 10 technical officials accompanying the athletes.
The team combines both home-based and foreign-based athletes under the guidance of AFN technical director Gabriel Okon and national head coach Solomon Aliyu.
Other members of the coaching crew include Olu Sule, Deji Aliu, Gabriel Opuana, Kolawole Adebayo, Saheed Akinpelu, Mavuah Esabunor, Pade Lawal, and Henry Okorie.
World record holder Tobi Amusan leads Nigeria’s medal hopes in the women’s 100m hurdles, while other notable names in the squad include Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ashe, Chidi Okezie, Obiageri Amaechi, and Oyesade Olatoye.
Several young athletes who represented Nigeria at the recent World Relays in Gaborone are also included, among them Godwin Tejiri, Miracle Ezechukwu, Rosemary Nwankwo, and Toheebat Jimoh.
Nigeria will additionally feature in middle- and long-distance events as part of renewed efforts by the federation to strengthen those disciplines.
