NSC Disburses ₦200m Training Grants To 26 Nigerian Athletes Ahead Of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has released ₦200 million in training grants to 26 Nigerian athletes as part of early preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The commission confirmed on Tuesday that the funds were distributed through its Elite and Podium Board to a carefully selected group of top-performing athletes, drawn from both home-based and foreign-based categories.

The grants are meant to support training, conditioning and overall preparation for major international competitions in the build-up to Glasgow 2026.

Athletes from a wide range of sports are among the beneficiaries, including athletics, wrestling, weightlifting, taekwondo, powerlifting and para-sports such as para table tennis, para athletics and para badminton.

According to the NSC, the selection followed what it described as a thorough and professional assessment process led by the Yusuf Ali-chaired Elite and Podium Board. The board was set up to create a more scientific and structured system for sustaining elite performance among Nigeria’s top athletes.

The Director General of the commission, Bukola Olopade, said the initiative reflects a renewed emphasis on athlete welfare under the current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

“Mr President has graciously increased our budget and given sports special financial considerations because he believes strongly in the power of sports and the potential of the Nigerian athlete,” Olopade said.

“This commitment is already reflecting in improved performances and successes at international competitions.”

Olopade added that the grants were also intended to reassure athletes of the commission’s continued backing.

“The training grants disbursed to 26 athletes across different sports followed a careful and professional selection process by the Yusuf Ali-led Elite and Podium Board. This is our way of reassuring our athletes that their welfare remains our utmost priority,” he said.

He noted that the financial support would play a key role in preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, as well as other major global events, including the Olympic Games.

“I often say that when we take care of our athletes, they will take care of the country by winning medals,” Olopade said, adding that under the leadership of NSC chairman Shehu Dikko, the commission would continue to explore new ways to strengthen athlete welfare and sustain high-level performances.

The latest release marks the second time in six months that the commission has disbursed training grants to Nigeria’s elite athletes.

Nigeria heads into the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games looking to build on its strong historical record at the event. The country has won a total of 271 Commonwealth Games medals, comprising 82 gold, 84 silver and 105 bronze. The Glasgow Games are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, 2026.