By Samuel Akpan
Team Nigeria has delivered its best-ever Youth Olympic Games performance, winning three gold medals in Dakar 2026 to surpass every previous outing since the country’s debut.
The campaign produced historic firsts, record performances and a new generation of talents as Bright Gift, Rosemary Nwankwo and Praise Ugoh swept the athletics sprints and 400m.
The National Sports Commission in a statement on Thursday said Bright Gift became the first Nigerian men’s 100m champion at the Games with a 10.28-second run that also set a new Youth Olympic record.
Rosemary Nwankwo completed the historic sprint double by taking the women’s 100m in 11.16 seconds, making Nigeria the first nation to win both 100m titles at the same edition.
Praise Ugoh sealed the golden haul with the women’s 400m in a personal-best 52.76 seconds, becoming the first Nigerian to win that event at the Youth Olympics.
The three medals eclipse the two golds Nigeria won at the inaugural Singapore 2010 Games, a leap the National Sports Commission credits to grassroots talent pipelines and competitive platforms.
Key drivers include the Invited Junior Athletes Initiative, National Sports Festival and the CAA Africa U18/U20 Championships hosted in Abeokuta, backed by Shehu Dikko, Bukola Olopade, Prince Niyi Beyeku, Lekan Alabi and the Nigeria Olympic Committee under Engr. Habu Gumel.
The Commission hailed the athletes, coaches, technical staff, medical team and support personnel, saying the Dakar success proves sustained grassroots investment can produce future world-class Nigerian champions.