By Samuel Akpan
In a major boost for Team Nigeria, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has increased performance bonuses for athletes at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with gold medalists now pocketing $10,000 each.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko on Saturday confirmed the revised package was approved specifically to drive stronger motivation among the contingent competing in Scotland.
He explained that the decision followed a short meeting with the Director General, after which the commission agreed to raise the athletes’ rewards across board.
Persscondnews reports that under the new structure, gold winners collect a total of $10,000 — $5,000 handed over immediately in cash and another $5,000 paid straight into their accounts.
Silver medallists receive $5,000 overall, split as $2,000 instant cash and $3,000 banked, while bronze finishers take home $3,000 in total — $1,000 cash on the spot and $2,000 transferred to their accounts.
Dikko noted that the previous gold package had stood at $8,000, made up of $3,000 cash and $5,000 to account.
After visiting the team in Aberdeen, he personally ordered the instant cash component for gold to be increased to $5,000 as additional encouragement for every athlete chasing the top podium.
All three gold medallists from the previous day have already been paid the full $10,000 each, correcting earlier claims that they received only $8,000.
The two gold winners from the latest session, together with the silver medallists, have also collected their immediate cash awards of $5,000 and $2,000 respectively.
Coaches whose athletes strike gold will earn a $5,000 incentive.
Athletes are currently drawing a daily allowance of $200, while coaches receive $250 each day.
Dikko emphasized that special bonuses can still be awarded for exceptional moments, citing the spur-of-the-moment cash reward that helped Rilwan Idris turn a potential bronze into gold just a day earlier.
The upgraded welfare package reflects the commission’s commitment to keeping Team Nigeria well-supported and driven at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.