Team Nigeria’s campaign toward the 2026 World Relays Championships gathered pace in Botswana, with standout performances at the Lefika International Relays boosting the country’s qualification prospects and global ranking.
Backed by the National Sports Commission and supported by President Bola Tinubu, Nigerian athletes delivered decisive results that have now secured additional qualification slots ahead of the global event scheduled for May.
The mixed 4x100m relay team produced one of the most eye-catching performances of the meet, storming to victory in 41.45 seconds. The result propelled Nigeria from 21st to 12th in the world rankings, comfortably placing the team among the top 24 nations eligible for the World Relays.
Nigeria’s momentum continued in the men’s 4x400m event, where the quartet clocked an impressive 3:02.98 to clinch qualification, further strengthening the country’s representation at the championship.
The performances reflect a broader, strategy-driven push by Nigerian sports authorities to ensure athletes compete at key international meets within the qualification window. Officials say the approach is already yielding measurable gains, with improved rankings and competitive outcomes across relay events.
With these latest results, Nigeria has now secured qualification in three of the six relay categories, putting the country in a strong position ahead of the World Relays. However, attention has already shifted to maximizing remaining opportunities.
In a bid to further bolster qualification chances, the National Sports Commission has approved a request by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for additional participation at the Botswana National Trials. The move is expected to provide remaining relay teams with another opportunity to meet qualification standards.
