*World record holder, Tobi Amusan, arrives Aberdeen
With six days to the start of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled a comprehensive athlete welfare and incentive package for Team Nigeria, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to athlete welfare, elite performance and rewarding sporting excellence.
Approved under the leadership of the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, the package introduces significant improvements in travel support, camping allowances, competition incentives and performance rewards for Team Nigeria.
For the first time, every athlete and official received N250,000 to cover flight tickets to the national camp in Abuja, replacing the previous transport fare arrangement. The Commission also approved an additional N250,000 for each athlete and official to facilitate early booking of return flights to their respective destinations after the Games.
The Commission also approved a substantial increase in local camping allowances, raising the daily rate from the previous N1,000–N2,000 to N5,000 for athletes and N7,500 for officials. The payments have already been made, with beneficiaries expected to have received them.
Meanwhile, 100m hurdles world record holder, Tobi Amusan, arrived at Team Nigeria’s training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland, joining the final phase of preparations ahead of the Games. Amusan remains one of Nigeria’s strongest medal prospects as she looks to add another major international title to her remarkable career.
The Commission also secured a 21-day high-performance training camp in Aberdeen, giving athletes access to world-class facilities and an environment tailored for peak performance.
The welfare enhancements also extend to the overseas training camp, where athletes received $150 per day and coaches $200 per day. The Commission confirmed that payments have largely been completed, with only a few outstanding cases linked to banking issues currently being resolved through the respective National Sports Federations.
Competition allowances have also been reviewed upward for the Games. Athletes will now receive $200 per day, while coaches will receive $250 per day, representing an increase over the $150 and $200 respectively paid during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Beyond financial support, Team Nigeria athletes have been kitted with upgraded PUMA competition apparel comprising about 20 items, including premium luggage and two durable travel boxes, marking a significant improvement over previous editions.
To further drive podium performances, the Federal Government has approved an enhanced medal reward structure. Gold medalists will receive an instant cash reward of $3,000, silver medalists $2,000 and bronze medalists $1,000. Their coaches will also receive corresponding rewards.
In addition, medal-winning athletes will receive separate performance bonuses paid directly into their bank accounts, with $5,000 for gold, $3,000 for silver and $2,000 for bronze.
As part of the national recognition for outstanding performances, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to host Team Nigeria’s medal winners after the Games in appreciation of their achievements and service to the country.
The landmark welfare package underscores the Federal Government’s resolve to place athletes at the heart of sports development, reward excellence and provide Nigerian athletes with the support needed to compete successfully on the Commonwealth stage.
