CWG: Nigeria Eyes More Medals as Five Quarter-Milers Reach 400m Semi-Finals

Five Nigerian athletes reached the 400m semi-finals, boosting the country’s hopes of adding more Commonwealth Games medals.

Team Nigeria will look to strengthen its medal haul at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Thursday as five athletes compete in the men’s and women’s 400 metres semi-finals.

The country’s challenge will be led by Samuel Ogazi and Ella Onojuvwevwo, who secured automatic qualification based on their world rankings, while Patience Okon-George, Esther Joseph and Eddidiong Udo advanced through the qualifying heats.

Nigeria has two representatives in the men’s event and three in the women’s race, giving the country one of its strongest representations in the quarter-mile competition.

Udo impressed on his international 400m debut for Nigeria, winning Heat One in 45.73 seconds to qualify automatically for the semi-finals. The youngster has been drawn in lane eight of the third semi-final.

Ogazi, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading medal contenders, will compete from lane five in the opening semi-final as he seeks a place in the final.

In the women’s event, veteran Patience Okon-George progressed after finishing fourth in her heat in 53.27 seconds. She will run from lane three in the first semi-final.

Joining her in the same race is Esther Joseph, who secured qualification after placing third in her heat with a time of 52.82 seconds. She has been drawn in lane four.

Onojuvwevwo, another strong medal prospect for Team Nigeria, will race from lane seven in the third semi-final as she targets a place in the final.

Athletics officials remain optimistic that Nigeria can secure multiple finalists, with the performances of Ogazi and Onojuvwevwo expected to play a key role in the country’s medal ambitions.

The strong showing in the heats comes as Team Nigeria continues to build momentum in the athletics programme following recent medal-winning performances in Glasgow.

A successful outing in Thursday’s semi-finals would further brighten Nigeria’s chances of adding to its Commonwealth Games medal tally, with all five athletes hoping to earn places in their respective finals and challenge for podium finishes.