Nigeria’s Ogazi Strikes Gold in 400m, Onojuvwevwo Bags Bronze
Team Nigeria’s Samuel Ogazi delivered a historic performance to win gold in the men’s 400 metres at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Saturday, becoming the first Nigerian man to claim the title in the event’s history, while compatriot Ella Onojuvwevwo added to the country’s medal haul with bronze in the women’s 400m final.
Ogazi produced a dominant display at Scotstoun Stadium, crossing the finish line in a Games record time of 44.25 seconds, with a gap of roughly six metres between him and the chasing pack. His victory improved on the previous best Nigerian finish in the event, a bronze medal won by the late Sunday Bada at the 1994 Games. Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards took silver in 44.82 seconds, while South Africa’s Zakithi Nene completed the podium with bronze in 45.21 seconds. Nigeria’s second finalist in the event, Edidiong Okon Udo, finished eighth with a time of 45.81 seconds.
Speaking after his triumph, an ecstatic Ogazi said fulfilling his ambition of bringing glory to Nigeria made the victory even more special, adding that he had always told himself he needed to put Nigeria on the map. He also paid tribute to Richards, revealing that the Trinidadian athlete had played a significant role in his development as a sprinter.
Just hours later, Onojuvwevwo produced one of the finest races of her career in the women’s 400m final, clocking 51.00 seconds to claim bronze in a fiercely contested race, narrowly missing out on silver by just 0.01 seconds. Jamaica’s Dejanea Oakley stormed to gold in a championship record time of 50.21 seconds, while Barbados’ Sada Williams edged out the Nigerian for silver with a time of 50.99 seconds. Onojuvwevwo held off a strong challenge from Wales’ Charlotte Henrich, who finished fourth in 51.16 seconds, ahead of Scotland’s Nicole Yeargin and England’s Yemi Mary John.
The 21-year-old’s bronze marked Nigeria’s first Commonwealth Games medal in the women’s 400m since Fatima Yusuf won silver at the 1994 Victoria Games. It also continued an outstanding season for the rising quarter-miler, who earlier this year lowered the Nigerian record to 49.47 seconds and climbed into the world’s top rankings following an impressive collegiate campaign in the United States, where she also set the African indoor record.
The two medals brought Nigeria’s tally in the one-lap events to a combined success on the same day, further reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in 400m racing. Ogazi’s win took Team Nigeria’s overall medal haul at the Glasgow 2026 Games to 19 medals at the time, comprising 10 gold, six silver, and three bronze, with Nigeria’s athletics contingent continuing to be one of the country’s most successful medal-producing groups at the championships.
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