The Nigeria Judo Federation has passed a unanimous vote of confidence in its president, Dr. Musa Oshodi, following Enku Ekuta‘s historic bronze medal victory at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. This decision reflects the board’s satisfaction with the current administrative direction of the sport in the country.

Members reached the resolution during the federation’s statutory board meeting on August 18. During this session, stakeholders specifically cited Dr. Oshodi’s leadership and the consistent progress observed in Nigerian judo under his tenure.

Ekuta secured the bronze medal in the women’s 63kg category in Glasgow, which ended a 24-year wait for a Commonwealth Games judo medal for Nigeria. Her performance demonstrated a significant leap forward for national athletes competing at this level.

The nation’s previous medal in the sport was secured at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, where Alice Livinus claimed bronze. This long gap between achievements highlights the significance of Ekuta’s recent success for the sporting community.

Ekuta’s achievement serves as an important milestone for Nigerian judo and provides a substantial boost for the federation’s ongoing efforts. The organization remains committed to developing athletes who are capable of competing successfully on the international stage, with plans to build upon the momentum generated by this podium finish.

Musa Oshodi leadership gets backing

The vote of confidence was moved by Omo Oba Segun Gbayi, the federation’s Vice-President 3 and Technical Director, and was supported unanimously by the board.

In an official communique, the Nigeria Judo Federation linked Enku Ekuta’s Commonwealth Games success to specific programmes introduced under the leadership of Dr. Musa Oshodi.

The federation highlighted the transparent Commonwealth Games trials held in Abuja, the implementation of improved training camps, and the provision of increased international exposure for competing athletes.

It also identified Nigeria’s performances at the African Judo Championships, where Ekuta secured gold in 2020 and silver in 2019, as clear evidence of progress made through the federation’s athlete-development initiatives.

The board described the Commonwealth Games medal as tangible evidence that the federation’s current strategic approach is producing consistent results on the international stage.

The board stated: “Dr. Musa Oshodi has repositioned Nigerian judo and taken it to enviable heights through purposeful leadership, accountability, and athlete-centred programmes. The Commonwealth medal is proof that our system is working.”

Building on the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games breakthrough

While Enku Ekuta’s medal is an individual achievement, the Nigeria Judo Federation believes it can also serve as a foundation for further progress in the sport.

The federation has called for greater investment in grassroots development and athlete welfare, recognizing the importance of creating a stronger pathway for young judokas to progress to the international level.

Attention will now turn to future competitions, including the 2028 Olympic Games, the African Games and other international events.

For the federation, the priority is to build on the momentum from Glasgow and ensure that Ekuta’s bronze medal is not an isolated success.

Dr. Musa Oshodi, responding to the vote of confidence, dedicated the Commonwealth Games medal to Nigerian judokas, coaches and stakeholders across the country.

He also pledged to consolidate the gains made under his administration and strengthen the position of judo among Nigeria’s consistent medal-winning sports.

Ekuta’s bronze medal has ended a long Commonwealth Games medal drought for Nigerian judo.

The next challenge for the federation is to turn that breakthrough into sustained success.

With continued investment in athlete development, improved preparation and greater international exposure, the federation hopes the Glasgow 2026 Games will become the starting point for a stronger future for Nigerian judo.

Source: Nigeria Judo Federation communique, as reported by The Nation.

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The women’s 100m hurdles final delivered one of the most anticipated races of the athletics race, with Team Nigeria pinning its hopes on world record holder Tobi Amusan. After cruising through the earlier rounds, expectations were high that the Nigerian speedstar would defend her Commonwealth title. However, the final proved to be a big test against athletes determined to dethrone the champion.

From the start of the race, it unfolded at a blistering pace, with every hurdle demanding perfection. Devynne Charlton produced a near-flawless run to claim the gold medal, while Megan Simmonds finished strongly to take silver. Amusan remained in contention throughout but had to settle for bronze after crossing the line in third place.

Although she missed out on retaining her title, Amusan once again demonstrated why she remains one of the world’s elite sprint hurdlers. Competing at the highest level requires consistency, and she delivered another podium finish on the international stage. The bronze medal adds to an already distinguished career and reflects her ability to remain among the sport’s best despite fierce competition.

For Team Nigeria, the result was met with mixed emotions. There was disappointment that one of the country’s biggest medal hopes could not stand atop the podium, but there was also appreciation for another valuable contribution to the nation’s medal tally. Amusan’s fighting spirit and determination throughout the competition showed the resilience that has defined Nigeria’s athletics campaign.

As the athletics programme draws closer to its conclusion, team Nigeria can take encouragement from the performances of its athletes. Amusan’s bronze, coupled with other strong displays across the track and field events, has reinforced the country’s status as one of Africa’s leading athletics nations. While the gold may have slipped away on this occasion, Team Nigeria has continued to show that it can compete with the very best on the Commonwealth stage.

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Team Nigeria‘s women’s 400 metres campaign delivered a blend of hope, resilience, and heartbreak on another thrilling day of athletics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. With three athletes chasing places in the final, expectations were high, but only one emerged with her medal ambitions intact. While the day ended in mixed fashion, it once again highlighted Nigeria’s enduring pedigree in one-lap racing.

The headline belonged to Ella Onojuvwevwo, who produced a performance worthy of a genuine title contender. Running with confidence and maturity beyond her years, the 21-year-old timed her race to perfection before powering down the home straight to secure her place in the final. It was the kind of performance that not only booked qualification but also sent a clear message to her rivals that she will be a force to reckon with in the medal race.

For Esther Elo Joseph and Patience okon George, however, the journey ended in the semi-finals. Both athletes battled bravely against world-class opposition, refusing to surrender despite the demanding pace of their races. Although they fell short of qualification, their determination and commitment reflected the fighting spirit that has defined Team Nigeria throughout the Games. Sometimes the margins between success and disappointment are measured in fractions of a second, and that was the reality they faced.

Beyond the results, Nigeria’s performances underlined the country’s continued strength in the women’s 400m eventt. The emergence of Ella Onojuvwevwo as a genuine medal contender, coupled with the experience gained by Joseph and George, provides further evidence that the future of Nigerian sprinting remains bright. The competition also exposed the importance of tactical execution, with every stride proving decisive against a field packed with elite athletes.

Attention now shifts to the final, where all Nigerian hopes rest on Ella Onojuvwevwo’s shoulders. She has shown throughout the championship that she possesses not only the speed but also the composure needed to compete at the highest level. If she can reproduce the same fearless running that carried her through the semi-finals, Team Nigeria could be celebrating another athletics medal. After a day of mixed emotions, the stage is now perfectly set for Ella to write her own Commonwealth Games story.

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