Nigerias Youth Athletes Shine at the 4th African Youth Games in Angola
The African Youth Games continue to serve as a vital platform for the identification and development of young sporting talent across the continent. Designed to nurture athletes at an early competitive stage, the Games also function as a pathway to future continental and global events, including youth level Olympic competitions. At the ongoing fourth edition of the Games in Luanda, Angola, Team Nigeria delivered a series of performances that reinforced the countrys growing influence in youth sport.
Nigerias presence at the Games was marked by depth, consistency, and competitive discipline across multiple sporting disciplines. From the opening days of competition, Nigerian athletes demonstrated technical preparedness and mental resilience, translating training into podium finishes. This collective effort reflected a structured approach to youth development that extends beyond a single sport.
Athletics emerging as one of Nigerias strongest areas of performance. The national team concluded the athletics programme with a total of eleven medals, comprising six gold and five silver medals. These results placed Nigeria among the leading nations in track and field at the Games. Sprint events proved particularly successful, with Rosemary Chigozie Nwakwo securing gold in the girls 100 metres with a time of 11.77 seconds. Hafsoh Bisola Majekodunmi claimed gold in the girls 400 metres, while Tejiri Ugoh topped the podium in the girls 200 metres.
Nigerias relay teams further strengthened the medal tally, with both the boys and girls medley relay squads winning gold following coordinated and disciplined race execution. In the boys sprint events, Emmanuel Akolo earned silver in the 100 metres, David Udoh finished second in the 400 metres, and Perfect Faye claimed silver in the 200 metres, adding to Nigerias overall medal count.
Beyond athletics, Nigerias success extends into other sports, underlining the breadth of talent within the youth contingent. In table tennis, the Nigerian mixed team secured the gold medal after a composed final victory over Egypt, demonstrating tactical awareness and consistency throughout the competition.
Nigeria also recorded notable success in beach volleyball, where the national team captured gold after defeating Egypt in the final by two sets to nil. The performance showcased adaptability and technical control, particularly in high pressure match situations. In badminton, Nigeria adds a silver medal to its tally after a closely contested final, while in judo, Oghogho claimed a bronze medal in the womens 63 kilogram category, further diversifying the countrys medal achievements.
These results collectively signal a positive trajectory for Nigerian youth sport. The ability to secure medals across athletics, table tennis, beach volleyball, badminton, and judo suggests a balanced development framework rather than reliance on a single area of strength. It also points to the effectiveness of early athlete identification and structured competition exposure.
The African Youth Games provide more than medal opportunities. They offer young athletes international experience, exposure to elite level competition, and the discipline required to transition into senior sport. For Nigeria, the performances in Luanda affirm the importance of sustained investment in youth programmes and institutional support structures.
As the Games progress and attention turns toward future continental and global competitions, Team Nigerias current showing stands as a clear indicator of promise. The achievements in Luanda reflect not only current success but also the foundation for the next generation of elite Nigerian athletes.