The National Sports Commission (NSC) has congratulated Team Nigeria’s weightlifting contingent following an outstanding performance at the 2026 African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Ismailia, Egypt, where the country secured a remarkable total of 29 medals.
Nigeria concluded the continental championship with an impressive medal 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 praised the athletes for their resilience, discipline, and excellent representation of Nigeria on the continental stage.
“This performance is a strong statement that Nigerian sports is moving in the right direction. Winning 29 medals at the African Championship is not just a victory for weightlifting, but a proud moment for the entire nation,” Dikko stated.
Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, also described the performance as another major sign of Nigeria’s rising strength across multiple sports.
“The consistency and dominance displayed by our weightlifters in Egypt clearly reflects the hard work going on behind the scenes. This achievement should inspire other athletes across the country,” Olopade said.
Nigeria’s female athletes played a major role in the country’s impressive outing, helping Team Nigeria secure a third-place continental 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 securing another three gold medals for Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Liadi Taiwo added three gold medals in the 77kg division, while Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele claimed three silver medals in the 63kg event.
In the 79kg category, Mary Osijo secured three silver medals after lifting 95kg in snatch and 116kg in clean and jerk for a combined total of 211kg.
Nigeria’s men also produced strong performances throughout the championship.
Favour Omovigho Agboro won one gold and two silver medals in the 65kg category, while Edidiong Joseph Umoafia also secured one gold and two silver medals in the 71kg division.
In the 79kg class, Adedapo Adeleke Opadeji earned three silver medals, while Lucky Joseph finished 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 the ongoing reforms and athlete support initiatives under the NSC leadership.
With 29 medals secured on the continental stage, Team Nigeria once again demonstrated its status as one of Africa’s leading forces in weightlifting.
