Nigeria wins 29 medals at 2026 African Weightlifting Championships as NSC praises Nigerian team’s dominance

He National Sports Commission (NSC) congratulated Team Nigeria’s weightlifting contingent following an outstanding performance at the 2026 African Senior Weightlifting Championships in Ismailia, Egypt, where the country claimed a remarkable total of 29 medals.

Nigeria concluded the continental championship with an impressive haul of 14 gold, 13 silver and 2 bronze medals, further underlining the country’s growing dominance in African weightlifting.

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Reacting to the achievement, NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, commended the athletes for their endurance, discipline and excellent representation of Nigeria on the continental stage.

“This performance is a strong statement that Nigerian sports are moving in the right direction. Winning 29 medals at the African Championships is not just a victory for weightlifting, but a proud moment for the entire nation,” Dikko said.

NSC Director General Bukola Olopade also described the performance as another important sign of Nigeria’s growing strength in multiple sports.

“The consistency and mastery displayed by our weightlifters in Egypt clearly reflects the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. This achievement should inspire other athletes across the country,” Olopade said.

Nigerian athletes played a major role in the country’s impressive performance, helping the Nigerian team to a continental third place finish in the women’s category with 12 gold and 6 silver medals.

In the women’s events, Ruth Asuquo Nyong dominated the 48kg category with three gold medals, while Onome Omolola Didih also delivered three gold medals in the 53kg division.

Commonwealth champion Rafiatu Folashade Lawal maintained her dominance in the 58kg category after bagging another three gold medals for Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Liadi Taiwo added three gold medals in the 77kg division, while Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele won three silver medals in the 63kg event.

In the 79 kg category, Mary Osijo won three silver medals after lifting 95 kg in the snatch and 116 kg in the clean and jerk for a combined total of 211 kg.

The Nigerian men also put in great performances throughout the tournament.

Favor Omovigho Agboro won one gold and two silver medals in the 65kg category, while Edidiong Joseph Umoafia also bagged one gold and two silver medals in the 71kg division.

In the 79kg category, Adedapo Adeleke Opadeji bagged three silver medals, while Lucky Joseph ended Nigeria’s campaign with two bronze medals in the +110kg category after recording a total lift of 315kg.

The impressive performance in Egypt adds another successful chapter to Nigeria’s recent rise in international sports and further highlights the growing impact of ongoing reforms and athlete support initiatives under the leadership of the NSC.

With 29 medals secured on the continental stage, the Nigerian team once again demonstrated its status as one of Africa’s leading forces in weightlifting.