Nigeria Makes 4th Consecutive Winter Olympics Appearance

Nigeria is once again making its mark on the global stage, participating for the fourth consecutive time in the Winter Olympic Games – specifically the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games in Italy.

This impressive streak began in 2018 with Nigeria’s debut at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea. That historic first appearance saw Nigerian athletes compete in two events: Bobsleigh, represented by Seun Adigun and her two brakewomen, and Skeleton, by Simidele Adeagbo. Their participation garnered significant international attention, marking a new chapter for Nigerian sports.

The current Games are running from 6th to 22nd February 2026 in Milano-Cortina, Italy.

Continuing this winter sports journey, Samuel Ikpefan proudly represented Nigeria in Cross-Country Skiing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Now, in the ongoing Games, Ikpefan is once again carrying the torch for his nation.

Originally from Edo State, Nigeria, Samuel Ikpefan currently resides in France. In preparation for the current Games, he strategically moved his training to Switzerland, seeking optimal conditions to hone his skills. Ikpefan shared that he feels significantly better than at the last Olympics, drawing on the experience gained during his first time competing in Beijing in 2022.

While Samuel Ikpefan remains realistic about his medal prospects, he is fully committed to delivering his best performance on the snow. His dedication and perseverance continue to inspire, showcasing Nigeria’s growing presence in the diverse world of winter sports.

Samuel Ikpefan is the sole Nigerian athlete representing the country at these Games. Unfortunately, Simidele Adeagbo, a monobob athlete in Bobsled and Skeleton, did not qualify as Bobsled qualification is based on ranking, and her ranking of 26th in the world was just outside the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation’s approved top 25 participants.

Mrs Kemi Obidahunsi, the NOC official accompanying Team Nigeria, confirmed that Samuel Ikpefan is the only Nigerian qualified for the Games based on Continental Qualifications. There are only eight African athletes across different sports disciplines at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games. The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) President, Engr Habu Ahmed Gumel, is leading the Nigerian delegation to the Games.