World Athletics approves Nigeria’s six World Relays entries

Nigeria will compete in all six relay events at the 2026 World Relays in Gaborone after World Athletics confirmed the country’s full entries in the official list released on Tuesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The country had initially qualified for three events, the men’s and women’s 4x400m as well as the mixed 4x100m, but has now been granted approval to feature in the remaining disciplines following an application by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

PUNCH Sports Extra understands that the federation sought additional slots in the men’s and women’s 4x100m and the mixed 4x400m through World Athletics Head of Sport Services for Competitions and Events, Carlo De Angeli, with the request subsequently approved.

Nigeria’s participation across all six events provides a significant boost to their medal prospects at the competition, scheduled for May 2 and 3, while also strengthening their chances of qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing and the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.

Preparations are already underway, with the team having commenced phase one of its training camp at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos under the supervision of technical director Gabriel Okon.

The AFN confirmed that foreign-based athletes are expected to join the squad in Gaborone ahead of the event.

The men’s 4x100m team includes Olympic finalist Enoch Adegoke,  Favour Ashe, James Emmanuel, Chidera Ezeakor and Tejiri Godwin, while the men’s 4x400m squad features Ezekiel Azukwo, Gafari Badmus, Victor Ime, Samson Nathaniel, Emmanuel Ojeli and Chidi Okezie.

In the women’s 4x100m, Jenifer Chukwuka, Rosemary Chukwuma, Miracle Ezechukwu, Rosemary Nwankwo, Maria Omokwe and Blessing Ogundiran have been listed, with the women’s 4x400m team comprising Anita Enaruna, Patience Okon-George, Toheebat Jimoh, Taiwo Kudoro, Jecinta Lawrence and Esther Okon.

Nigeria’s mixed 4x100m relay pool includes Adegoke, Chukwuma, Emmanuel, Ezeakor, Ezechukwu and Ogundiran, while the mixed 4x400m team is made up of Sekiru Adeyemi, Enaruna, Okon-George, Jimoh, Ojeli and Okezie.

The competition in Gaborone is expected to be intense, with 723 athletes from 40 countries entered and several global powers fielding strong squads.

Host nation Botswana will look to impress on home soil, with Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo leading their men’s 4x100m team, while world 400m champion Collen Kebinatshipi headlines their 4x400m squad.

The United States have also named a formidable line-up, including Ronnie Baker and Courtney Lindsey from their world championship-winning men’s 4x100m team, while Jamaica’s squad features world champion Oblique Seville and Olympic gold medallists Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson.

Canada will rely on their Olympic gold medal-winning quartet of Andre De Grasse, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney and Aaron Brown in the men’s 4x100m, while South Africa have retained the core of their successful relay teams, including Akani Simbine.

Other notable entrants include Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland, all of whom boast experienced relay athletes and recent podium finishes at global competitions.

With the expanded entries and early preparations in place, Nigeria will aim to make a strong impression in Gaborone as they target both relay medals and qualification spots for future global championships.