By Fayobi Adedoyin
Nigeria has taken an early step toward the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) assembling a pool of 40 boxers for its final training programme in Lagos.
The camp will feature an equal mix of male and female athletes, 20 apiece, most of whom earned their spots through strong performances at the National Boxing Open Trials held earlier in February.
All invited boxers, alongside coaches and technical crew, are expected to check into camp on May 1 at the Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah (Rtd) Boxing Hall, National Stadium, Surulere. Full training sessions are scheduled to get underway the next day.
For the federation, the exercise is more than routine preparation—it is a decisive screening phase. Only 10 fighters will emerge from the camp to represent the country in Glasgow.
Chairman of the NBF Technical Committee, Babatunde Laguda, said the early start underscores a shift in approach by the current leadership.
“We are deliberate about preparation. Early camping has become a priority because it gives our athletes the best possible chance to compete at the highest level,” he explained.
Also weighing in, NBF Vice President Omonlei Imadu stressed that reputation alone will not guarantee selection, noting that performance and medal potential remain the key criteria.
“We are building a team that can deliver results. The focus is on quality, discipline, and readiness. Only those who truly deserve it will make the final list,” he said.
Nigeria is expected to compete with 10 boxers at the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July 23 to August 3 in Glasgow, Scotland.
