Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade has tipped Team Nigeria to win 32 Gold medals at the fast – approaching Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. The 23rd edition of the games will be held from 23 July to 2 August 2026, which emotionally without minding what the stats has projected, Olopade revealed confidently that he is rooting for Nigeria to do the unthinkable.
While speaking after the colourful Nigeria National League (NNL) Super four draws held in Lagos, at the elegant Marriott hotel in Ikeja, the NSC DG, stated that based on Hungarian table which is scientifically generated, Nigeria is predicted to win 18 gold medals, but he is emotionally saying Nigeria can win 32 gold medals based on the palpable work that has been done by the NSC in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) since the assumption of office by the dynamic duo of Mallam Shehu Dikko and himself Hon. Bukola Olopade led NSC.
He commended the AFN president, Chief Tonobok Okowa for the glaring reforms he is championing in Nigeria athletics. According to him, he drew attention to it long before now that Nigerians should watch out for Okowa and AFN after seeing what he was doing which is now yielding results with the timely financial backing by the NSC, insisting that Elite Athletes training grants are paid on time, their kits are ever ready plus the cordial relationship they maintain with Nigerian Elite athletes across board.
“Shehu Dikko and I have changed the way we do things. Athletes’ grants are paid ahead of time, their kits are ready, the motivation is there and more significantly for us is that we have a one-on-one relationship with them. I can tell you that there is no elite athlete within every sport that I don’t
have a relationship with.
“I talk to them one-on-one, some call me at 2am and we talk. I think these are the challenges and the reforms that we are seeing. The leadership is now showing that we are a family in sports”, he said.
Speaking further, Olopade revealed that “when Chief Tony Okowa started with the reforms in athletics which a few critics did not like, I said watch out for this guy. Now, the first training camp in Asaba has started churning out results. Yes, there are a lot of people disappointed with the way things were done in the AFN in the past, but everyone of us at one time or the other has been giving a second chance. Okowa has a second chance and he’s doing a whole lot of work. I know what he’s doing and I think he’s doing fantastically well.
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“Athletics is difficult. It’s science. If you’re not running well you know and if you’re running well you know as well, he stated.
On Nigeria’s chances at the Commonwealth games Olopade said: “We’re ready. The camp is ready, the kits, the athletes and the funding are all ready. We have started paying grants for people to train well as part of their Commonwealth games training grant.
“The CEO of the Elite Board who does the Hungarian table and the aggregations has said scientifically that Nigeria can win up to 18 gold medals but I have said emotionally that we can win 32 Gold medals”, he concluded.
While speaking on the draws, Olopade described it as the “best ever in the history of Nigeria”, insisting that they have set the bar high as far as conducting draws is concerned.
“I must commend Mr. George Aluo and the entire NNL Board for putting together an event like this. This is one of the best draws I have witnessed in Nigeria. I encourage the Board to keep up the good work, because the NSC’s doors will always remain open to support you,” Olopade said.
Speaking further he noted:
“This is a remarkable achievement for the NFF under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau. Congratulations to them.”
The amiable DG also praised the sponsors of the league for their continued support. “I also want to appreciate Toptier Sports Management, under the leadership of Mrs. Chichi Nwoko, for investing heavily in the league. The results of Toptier’s investment are what we are all enjoying today. If we can have an elaborate and world-class draw like this, I am certain the Super Four is going to be massive.”
The NNL Super Four will hold from May 4 to May 8, 2026, at the Remo Stars Stadium at Ikenne in Ogun state. For the records, four newly promoted NPFL sides, Doma United, Sporting Lagos, Inter Lagos, and Ranchers Bees will compete for the ₦10 million prize and the title of NNL 2025/2026 overall champions.
