President Tinubu urges Team Nigeria to compete clean at 2026 Commonwealth Games

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed Team Nigeria at a presidential send‑off ceremony in Abuja, charging the athletes to “compete with courage, honour and integrity” and to “win clean” at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. He reminded them of Nigeria’s past doping scandal at the Birmingham Games and said the administration has strengthened anti‑doping measures, citing the Nigerian Anti‑Doping Act and the inauguration of the Nigerian Anti‑Doping Centre board.

The delegation, led by National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko and NSC Director‑General Bukola Olopade, will travel to Aberdeen for a three‑week training camp before heading to Glasgow, where 72–74 athletes will compete in ten sports. The president highlighted the nation’s ambition to surpass its best‑ever Commonwealth performance and projected a target of 16‑20 gold medals. A zero‑tolerance policy on doping and indiscipline was reiterated, with sanctions including possible expulsion for violations.

During the ceremony the NSC also unveiled global sportswear brand PUMA as the official kit partner for the team. Team captain Oluwafemi Ayo Folashade pledged to represent Nigeria with distinction, embodying the values the president stressed as “priceless”.