Team Nigeria Athletes to Earn $200 Daily, Get Up to $8,000 for Gold at 2026 Commonwealth Games
Team Nigeria athletes heading to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will receive a $200 daily competition allowance, up to $8,000 in total rewards for winning gold and ₦500,000 in travel support under a new welfare and incentive package unveiled by the National Sports Commission (NSC).
The package, approved under the leadership of NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, represents a significant improvement in the financial support and rewards available to Team Nigeria athletes and officials.
Under the enhanced medal reward structure, gold medalists will receive an instant cash reward of $3,000, while silver and bronze medalists will receive $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. Coaches will receive corresponding rewards.
In addition to the instant cash rewards, medal-winning athletes will receive separate performance bonuses paid directly into their bank accounts. Gold medalists will receive $5,000, silver medalists $3,000 and bronze medalists $2,000.
A Nigerian athlete who wins gold could therefore receive up to $8,000 in direct rewards from the Federal Government.
Athletes will also receive $200 per day during the competition, while coaches will receive $250 per day. The new rates represent an increase from the $150 and $200 respectively paid during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The Commission has also approved ₦250,000 for every athlete and official to cover transportation to the national camp in Abuja.
An additional ₦250,000 was approved for each athlete and official to facilitate the early booking of return flights to their respective destinations after the Games.
This means each athlete and official is entitled to a total of ₦500,000 in travel support under the new arrangement.
Local camping allowances have also been increased from the previous ₦1,000-₦2,000 daily range to ₦5,000 for athletes and ₦7,500 for officials.
The National Sports Commission said the payments have already been made.
During the overseas training camp, athletes received $150 per day, while coaches received $200 per day.
The NSC said payments have largely been completed, with only a few outstanding cases linked to banking issues being resolved through the relevant National Sports Federations.
