Amusan Boosts Team Nigeria With Aberdeen Arrival Ahead Of Glasgow 2026

Nigeria’s hopes of a successful outing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games have received a major boost with the arrival of world 100m hurdles record holder Tobi Amusan at Team Nigeria’s training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland, as the countdown to the Games enters its final six days.

Amusan, one of Nigeria’s brightest medal prospects, joined the national contingent for the final phase of preparations ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where she will be aiming to add another prestigious international title to her impressive collection.

Her arrival coincided with the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) announcement of a comprehensive athlete welfare and incentive package designed to ensure Team Nigeria is well supported before and during the Games.

The Commission said the new package reflects the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to athlete welfare, elite performance and rewarding sporting excellence.

Under the initiative approved by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, every athlete and official received ₦250,000 to cover flight costs to the national camp in Abuja, replacing the previous transport allowance system. An additional ₦250,000 has also been approved for each athlete and official to facilitate early booking of return flights after the Games.

The Commission further announced a significant increase in local camping allowances, with athletes now receiving ₦5,000 per day, up from between ₦1,000 and ₦2,000, while officials will receive ₦7,500 daily. According to the NSC, the payments have already been made.

The welfare package also covers Team Nigeria’s 21-day high-performance training camp in Aberdeen, where athletes have access to world-class facilities as they fine-tune preparations for the multi-sport event.

Athletes at the overseas camp are receiving 150 US dollars per day, while coaches are entitled to 200 US dollars daily. The Commission said most of the payments have 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 upwards. Athletes will now receive 200 US dollars per day during the Games, while coaches will earn 250 US dollars daily, an improvement on the allowances paid at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Beyond financial incentives, Team Nigeria has been equipped with upgraded PUMA competition kits comprising about 20 items, including premium luggage and two durable travel boxes for each athlete.

The Federal Government has also approved an enhanced medal reward package. Gold medallists will receive an instant cash reward of 3,000 US dollars, with silver medallists earning 2,000 US dollars and bronze medallists 1,000 US dollars. Coaches of medal winners will receive matching rewards.

In addition, medal-winning athletes will receive separate performance bonuses paid directly into their bank accounts, with 5,000 US dollars for gold, 3,000 US dollars for silver and 2,000 US dollars for bronze medal winners.

The Commission added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to host Team Nigeria’s medallists after the Games in recognition of their achievements.

With Amusan now in camp and morale boosted by the improved welfare package, Team Nigeria will be hoping to convert thorough preparation into podium finishes when the Commonwealth Games begin in Glasgow next week.