Uche Cecil Izuora
The Comptroller‑General of Customs (CGC), Wale Adeniyi, is expanding its call for national support to boost morale of Team Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The call follows his appointment as one of the country’s official ambassadors by the National Sports Commission.
The move is part of a broader strategy to rally national support for the Games by enlisting a high‑profile group of administrators, elite athletes, and stakeholders to champion Nigeria’s campaign.
The ambassadorial team is made up of seasoned sports administrators and former officials of the National Sports Commission, such as Mallam Saleh Ahmadu, Dr Amos Adamu, Chief Patrick Ekeji, Alhassan Yakmut, and Gbenga Elegbeleye. Their combined experience is expected to lend strategic direction and institutional continuity to Nigeria’s build‑up to the Championships. The group also includes Olympic medalist Daniel Igali, Commonwealth champion Blessing Oborodudu, and other private‑sector representatives, blending technical expertise with athlete‑centred insight to push for a performance‑driven and credible preparation process.
In his remarks, the CGC applauded the ambassadorial initiative, describing sports as a vital instrument for national unity, youth development, and global visibility. He stressed that the success of Team Nigeria would depend as much on the support system around the athletes, coaches, administrators, sponsors, and institutions, as on the performers themselves.
“The success of Team Nigeria will depend not only on the athletes but on the strength of the support system around them. This ambassadorial initiative is a step in the right direction towards building that collective responsibility,” Adeniyi said, indicating that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will continue to collaborate with sporting bodies to promote sports development and provide enabling structures for Nigerian athletes.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August 2026, featuring a compact programme of disciplines such as athletics, swimming, boxing, cycling, and gymnastics, with full integration of para‑sports. The ambassadorial campaign aims to ensure Nigeria sends a well‑prepared, competitive delegation capable of making a strong impact on the international stage.