Nigeria Targets Late Qualification for 2026 World Relays -

Nigerian Female Relay Team

Nigeria is making a final push to secure qualification for the 2026 World Athletics Relays, with a group of its athletes set to compete in the United States just days before the deadline.

The move is part of intensified efforts by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to ensure the country is represented across multiple relay events at the global competition.

Following limited participation at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, the federation has shifted focus toward relay qualification and early preparations for the Commonwealth Games scheduled to hold in Glasgow.

AFN President Tonobok Okowa confirmed that qualifying for the World Relays remains the federation’s immediate priority.

“Our priority now is to qualify for the World Relays and begin preparations for Glasgow,” Okowa said.

Nigeria has already secured a provisional spot in the women’s 4x400m relay rankings but currently sits 23rd out of the 24 available qualification slots, leaving little margin for error.

The team initially booked its place with a time of 3:31.14 at the MTN Champs Athletics Classics in Calabar on March 7. However, increasing global competition has put that position under threat, making an improved performance essential before the qualification window closes on April 5, 2026.

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Attention is now on the “Battle on the Bayou” meet, scheduled for April 3–4 at the LSU Bernie Moore Stadium in Baton Rouge.

The event is expected to feature Nigerian athletes based in American colleges, providing a critical opportunity to secure or improve qualification times.

Okowa noted that the federation is relying heavily on foreign-based athletes, particularly those in the U.S. collegiate system, to deliver strong performances.

“We still want some of our athletes in the U.S. to compete and try to improve our times. The goal is to qualify before the deadline,” he added.

Ahead of the U.S. meet, Nigeria will also compete at the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone on March 28. The event will serve as both preparation and an early qualification opportunity.

Nigeria is expected to compete against countries including Poland, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and host Botswana in the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays, as well as the mixed 4x400m event.

Additional qualification chances will also be available at the Jos leg of the MTN Champs, offering multiple pathways for Nigerian athletes to secure relay slots.

The 2026 World Athletics Relays will take place from May 2 to 3 at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone, marking the first time the competition will be hosted on African soil.