Nigeria’s campaign at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships begins Tuesday in Accra, Ghana, with world record holder Tobi Amusan leading a strong Team Nigeria squad at the continental competition.
The six-day championships, taking place at the University of Ghana Sports Complex from 12th to 17th of May 2026, will feature more than 1,000 athletes from across Africa competing in track and field events.
Amusan headlines Nigeria’s team as she targets a third African women’s 100m hurdles title after previous triumphs in Asaba 2018 and Mauritius 2022.
The 2022 world champion arrives in Accra with five African Championships gold medals across individual and relay events. She is expected to compete alongside fellow Nigerians Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday in the women’s 100m hurdles.
Nigeria’s contingent also includes sprint stars Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ashe, Enoch Adegoke and Usheoritse Itsekiri, as well as quarter-milers Patience Okon-George, Emmanuel Ojeli and Chidi Okezie.
Field event athletes such as Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Ruth Usoro and Oyesade Olatoye are also expected to compete for medals.
National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade urged the athletes to compete with “confidence, discipline and patriotism.”
He added that Team Nigeria had shown “impressive growth and consistency on both continental and global stages.”
Sprinter Favour Ashe also expressed confidence ahead of the championships.
“I’m in good shape, and my goal in Accra is to win gold in the 100m and also help the team secure gold in the relays,” Ashe said.
Nigeria will hope to improve on its recent continental performances as attention gradually shifts toward the 2026 Commonwealth Games later this year.
