Team Nigeria will field a 24‑athlete squad across all six relay disciplines at the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, next month.
The full participation came after World Athletics granted special approval for three events Nigeria had not initially qualified for. The country originally secured spots in the men’s 4x400m, women’s 4x400m and mixed 4x100m. The governing body then opened a window for supplementary entries, and Nigeria’s applications were all cleared.
The 24‑athlete squad blends experienced campaigners with emerging teenage talents. The Invited Junior Athletes initiative selected Miracle Ezechukwu (4x100m), Rosemary Chukwuma (4x100m) and Jecinta Lawrence (4x400m).
Blessing Ogundiran leads the women’s 4x100m squad. She has clocked 10.98 seconds in the 100m this season, moving joint‑top of the 2026 global rankings.
Also, Favour Ashe is included in the men’s 4x100m despite a pending application to switch his international allegiance to Qatar. The AFN confirmed he will compete only in the relay.
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Tobi Amusan was omitted from the squad. The AFN gave no reason for her exclusion.
The World Relays take place from 2–3 May 2026 at the National Stadium in Gaborone. Nigeria’s primary aim is to secure direct qualification for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing.
The squad has been training at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos under technical director Gabriel Okon. Foreign‑based athletes will join directly in Botswana.
Nigeria’s best previous performance at the World Relays came in 2015, when the country won a gold medal in the 4x200m event. The team missed the 2025 Relays entirely due to visa problems.
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