The Nigerian team leaves for the Lefika relays and aims for qualifications for the World Championship

Team Nigeria will depart on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 for the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, as the country intensifies its effort to qualify for the World Relay Championships later this year.

The contingent will be transported by Ethiopia Airlines, with a stopover planned in Addis Ababa before arriving in Gaborone on March 26.

Nigeria will compete in four events of the competition, the men’s 4x100m and mixed 4x100m, the men’s 4x400m, as well as the mixed 4x400m relay, with the clear objective of securing qualification places for the World Relay Championships scheduled for May, also in Gaborone.

In particular, the women’s 4x100m and women’s 4x400m relay teams have already sealed their qualification for the overall event, leaving the remaining teams fighting for available spaces.

Leading the Nigerian delegation are senior officials of the Nigerian Athletics Federation, including President Tonobok Okowa, Secretary General Israel Inwang and Technical Director Gabriel Okon.

The team has a mix of youth and experience, with athletes such as Enaruna Anita Itohan, Badmus Gafari Atanda, Ezeakor Chidera, Emmanuel James Taiwo, Ojeli Ifeanyi Emmanuel and George Patience Okon expected to play key roles.

Others on the list include Nathaniel Samson, Adeyemi Sikiru Adewale, Sampson Victor Ime, Godwin Tejiri, Andrew Jecinter Lawrence, Chukwuka Obi Jennifer and Omokwe Maria Thompson.

The team has been honing its strategy and witness exchange for the past six weeks in Asaba, Delta State.

With a balanced team and strong administrative support from the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the Nigerian team will aim to make a significant impact in Gaborone as they continue their preparation for the World Relay Championships.