Gold medallists representing Nigeria at the ongoing African U18/U20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta are set to receive a ₦1 million reward each, as revealed by the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Day 2 of the competition.
NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko made the announcement alongside Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General of the NSC and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), during a media briefing at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta.
According to Dikko, the decision is aimed at motivating the athletes and recognising their dedication and patriotism.
The determination in our athletes’ eyes is inspiring,” Dikko said. “We’ll continue rewarding their hard work and patriotism. These young stars represent the future of Nigerian sports.”
Hon. Olopade echoed the same sentiment, stating that investing in young athletes will yield long-term results for the country.
When we support our athletes, they give back through medal-winning performances,” Olopade said. “These young talents are key to our success at global competitions like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.”
The NSC also unveiled a structured cash reward system for all medal winners:
Gold – ₦1,000,000
Silver – ₦750,000
Bronze – ₦500,000
The announcement drew wide applause from the athletes and coaches present, with several praising the commission for finally matching words with action in youth sports development.
The championships, which bring together some of Africa’s most promising under-18 and under-20 athletes, have seen strong performances from Team Nigeria in sprinting, long-distance races, and field events.
With the incentives now in place, Team Nigeria athletes are expected to further intensify their medal chase as the championship progresses.
