President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday charged members of Team Nigeria to compete with courage, discipline and integrity at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, declaring that while winning medals is important, doing so fairly is even more valuable.
The President, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila during the Presidential Send-off Ceremony at the State House, Abuja, urged the athletes to represent Nigeria with honour and avoid actions that could tarnish the country’s reputation on the global stage.
Addressing the 72-member contingent, Tinubu said the athletes were ambassadors of Nigeria’s resilience, talent and determination, expressing confidence that they possessed the ability to excel against the world’s best.
“You have trained for this moment. You have sacrificed for this moment. Go to Glasgow with confidence, discipline and unity. Go with patriotism and with the mindset that Nigeria can stand with the very best in the world,” the President said.
In an apparent reference to Nigeria’s previous anti-doping challenges at the last Commonwealth Games, Tinubu urged the athletes to learn from past mistakes.
“We must remember that we’re exporting our values, our moral values, our core values as a nation. I know what happened last time in Birmingham… and that experience must be a lesson for all of us,” he said.
The President stressed that integrity must remain the foundation of every victory, warning that success achieved through unfair means would diminish the country’s image.
“I want you to compete with courage, honour and integrity. Win clean. Let every medal you earn reflect your commitment, your dedication and the values that define our great nation. Winning is important, but winning clean is more important. Medals are valuable, but integrity is priceless,” he said.
Tinubu also highlighted his administration’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-doping regime, recalling that he recently signed the Nigerian Anti-Doping Act into law to provide a stronger legal and institutional framework for clean sports.
He noted that the inauguration of the board of the Nigerian Anti-Doping Centre further demonstrated the government’s determination to protect athletes, ensure international compliance and restore confidence in Nigerian sports.
“We are determined as a country to build a sports system where our athletes can succeed without suspicion, where our victories are respected, and where Nigeria is known not only for talent, but also for discipline, integrity and excellence,” he stated.
Setting an ambitious target, the President said his administration expects Team Nigeria to surpass the country’s best-ever performance at the Commonwealth Games.
“Our target is clear. We want Team Nigeria to surpass its best-ever Commonwealth Games performance. I have every confidence that you possess the talent, determination and character to achieve this historic feat,” he added.
Leading the delegation to the Presidential Villa were Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko; Director-General of the Commission, Bukola Olopade; and Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, Philip Shaibu.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Dikko praised Tinubu’s commitment to sports development, describing the administration’s support as unprecedented.
He said the Renewed Hope Initiative for the Nigerian sports economy had repositioned sports as a catalyst for youth development, economic growth, national unity, investment and sports diplomacy.
Dikko also commended the President for signing the Anti-Doping Act into law, saying the move would protect Nigerian athletes and ensure the country’s victories are respected internationally.
Olopade, on his part, said the reforms introduced by the administration had begun attracting significant private-sector investment into sports, adding that improved performances at the Commonwealth Games could unlock historic sponsorship opportunities for Nigerian athletes.
Team Nigeria captain, Oluwafemi Ayo Folashade, assured the President that the athletes would compete with discipline and determination while striving to restore the country’s sporting glory.
Nigeria’s 72 athletes will compete in 10 sports at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with officials expressing optimism that the contingent will return with a record medal haul while upholding the values of fairness, discipline and excellence.
