The Athletics Federation of Nigeria is counting on a final push to secure qualification for the 2026 World Athletics Relays, with a group of Nigerian athletes set to compete in the United States just days before the deadline.
After a modest outing at the recent World Indoor Championships, the federation has shifted its focus to relay qualification and early preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
AFN President Tonobok Okowa stated that qualifying for the World Relays is now the top priority, ahead of other competitions.
Nigeria’s women’s 4x400m relay team is currently clinging to a qualification spot, ranked 23rd out of the 24 available slots, leaving little margin for error.
The team had earlier recorded a time of 3:31.14 at the Champs Athletics Classics in Calabar on March 7, but increasing global competition has intensified the battle for qualification places.
With the qualification window closing on April 5, attention is now on the “Battle on the Bayou” meet at LSU Bernie Moore Stadium, scheduled for April 3–4, where US-based Nigerian athletes are expected to compete and improve their times.
Ahead of that, Nigeria will participate in the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone on March 28, using it as both preparation and an early attempt to secure qualification.
The Nigerian team will compete against countries including Poland, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and host Botswana in various relay events, including the men’s and women’s 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m.
Athletes also have another opportunity on home soil, with the Jos leg of the Champs event offering a chance to post qualifying times.
The 2026 World Athletics Relays will take place at Botswana National Stadium from May 2 to 3, marking the first time the competition will be hosted on African soil.