RismadarVoice Reporters, May 2, 2026
Nigeria’s relay teams will confront formidable opposition as the 8th edition of the World Athletics Relays Championship gets underway today at the National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana.
A total of 743 athletes from 40 countries are competing in the global event, with qualification spots for the 2027 World Championships and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship at stake.
Team Nigeria faces an early test in the mixed 4x400m relay heats, scheduled for the afternoon session on Day One. Drawn in a highly competitive heat, Nigeria will line up against the Netherlands, Jamaica, Poland, China, Japan and Canada.
Only the top two teams in each heat, along with the two fastest non-automatic qualifiers, will advance to the final and secure qualification for the 2027 World Championships.
The Netherlands entered the race as favourites, boasting a personal best of 3:07.43 set at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Poland (3:09.43) and Jamaica (3:11.06) further underline the depth of competition.
Nigeria, with a personal best of 3:11.99 and a season’s best of 3:16.13, will depend on a mix of experienced athletes and emerging talents. The squad is expected to feature runners such as Chidi Okezie, Ezekiel Asuquo, Gafari Badmus, Victor Ime, Samson Nathaniel and Emmanuel Ojeli on the men’s side.
On the women’s roster, Patience Okon-George leads a lineup that includes Anita Enaruna, Toheebat Jimoh, Taiwo Kudoro, Jecinta Lawrence and Esther Okon.
In the men’s 4x100m relay, Nigeria will also face a daunting challenge in heat three, competing against India, Poland, Brazil, China, South Africa, Ghana and Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The Nigerian team, led by Enoch Adegoke and Favour Ashe, will rely on speed and coordination to secure one of the qualifying spots. They are expected to be joined by James Emmanuel, Chidera Ezeakor and Tejire Godwin.
Based on entry times, Great Britain and Northern Ireland lead the field with 37.36 seconds, followed by South Africa (37.57s) and Brazil (37.72s), while Nigeria’s best of 37.94s keeps them in contention.
Defending champions South Africa and Olympic silver medallists headline the field, with Brazil, China, Ghana and Poland also posing serious threats in what is expected to be one of the most competitive heats of the opening round.
Globally, the United States are widely regarded as a favourite to dominate the relays, with Canada and Jamaica also expected to mount strong challenges across events.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, delivered a message of support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the athletes to compete with pride and determination.
Addressing the team after their final training session, Olopade emphasised the importance of the relays to Nigeria’s sporting identity and its role in athlete development.
Nigeria is competing in all six relay events at this year’s championship and will be aiming to improve on its modest historical record, having won just two medals a bronze in 2014 and gold in 2015.
With qualification slots and global pride at stake, the task ahead is daunting as Nigerian athletes seek to navigate challenging heats and keep the country’s relay hopes alive on the world stage.
