Nigeria Targets Last-Minute Push for 2026 World Athletics Relays Qualification
Focus Turns to Qualification and Commonwealth Games Preparation
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is hoping for a last-minute surge to secure qualification for the 2026 World Athletics Relays. A group of Nigerian athletes will compete in the United States just days before the qualification deadline to improve their chances.
AFN Shifts Focus from World Indoors to World Relays and Commonwealth Games
AFN President Tonobok Okowa revealed that the federation is prioritizing relay qualification and early preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The World Indoor Championships is no longer the focus, with the World Relays now the main target.
“That [World Indoors] is not our priority now. Our priority is to try and go and qualify for World Relays and then our Glasgow preparation for the Commonwealth Games,” Okowa stated.
Women’s 4x400m Team Holding on to Qualification Spot
Nigeria’s women’s 4x400m team currently holds a qualification spot but remains vulnerable. Sitting 23rd out of the 24 available places, the team posted a time of 3:31.14 at the Champs Athletics Classics in Calabar on March 7. However, rising global competition has intensified the battle for qualification.
Upcoming “Battle on the Bayou” Meet in the U.S.
With the qualification window closing on April 5, Nigeria’s attention is now on the upcoming “Battle on the Bayou” meet at the LSU Bernie Moore Stadium in Baton Rouge, U.S., scheduled for April 3-4. This event is seen as a crucial opportunity for the athletes, especially those based in U.S. colleges, to deliver improved times.
“Our women just qualified in 4 by 400 relay. You know you have to be among the 24 countries now before you’ll be allowed to participate. It’s not like it used to be,” said Okowa.
He also mentioned that Nigerian athletes in the U.S. would focus on improving their times to secure qualification for the World Relays.
Preparation Continues with Lefika International Relays in Botswana
Before the U.S. meet, Nigeria will compete at the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, on March 28. This event serves as both preparation and an early qualification attempt. Nigeria will face teams from Poland, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and hosts Botswana in the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays, as well as the mixed 4x400m.
Additional Qualification Pathways
There is also an opportunity for Nigerian athletes to qualify at the Jos leg of the Champs event, which will take place shortly before the deadline.
Botswana to Host the 2026 World Athletics Relays
The 2026 World Athletics Relays will be held at the Botswana National Stadium from May 2-3, marking the first time the event will be held on African soil.
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