Team Nigeria has begun its campaign at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, with 19 young athletes representing the country at the historic international competition.
The competition, which runs from October 31 to November 13, marks the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted on African soil.
Nigeria’s delegation consists of 12 boys and seven girls competing across different sporting disciplines. The National Sports Commission (NSC) says the young athletes have the potential to deliver an improved performance compared with previous editions.
Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, expressed confidence in the team, describing the competition as an important opportunity for emerging Nigerian athletes to gain international experience.
Nigeria’s best performance at the Youth Olympic Games came in Singapore in 2010, when the country won four medals: two gold, one silver and one bronze.
At the 2018 edition in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nigeria also secured four medals.
The commission is hopeful that the Dakar competition will provide another opportunity for Nigerian athletes to demonstrate their abilities and establish themselves on the international sporting stage.
Beyond medal ambitions, the Games are expected to give young athletes valuable experience as they work towards senior competitions, including future Olympic Games.
