Dakar 2026: NSC Unveils Team Nigeria’s Youth Olympics Timeline, Confirms October 29 Departure
Nigerian athletes to compete in six sports as 21-day camping programme, medical screening and final preparations precede historic Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled the operational timeline for Team Nigeria’s participation in the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, confirming October 29 as the departure date for the country’s contingent.
The Games, scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026, will mark a historic milestone as the first Olympic sporting event to be staged on African soil.
Nigeria will compete in six sports, athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball, as the country seeks to showcase its emerging sporting talents on the international stage.
According to the operational schedule released by the NSC, Team Nigeria’s preparations include a 21-day local camping programme running from October 9 to 29, with athletes and officials expected to depart Abuja on the final day of camping.
The programme covers medical screening, anti-doping education, technical and tactical preparations, kit fitting, travel documentation and final confirmation of participation requirements.
The Nigerian contingent is scheduled to arrive in Dakar on October 30, a day before the opening ceremony, to complete accreditation, accommodation arrangements, equipment checks and other necessary formalities.
Athletes and officials will also participate in technical meetings and familiarisation visits to competition venues across the three host zones of Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
The opening ceremony will take place on October 31 at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, with Nigeria’s table tennis and beach volleyball teams scheduled to begin their campaigns on the same day.
Swimming events will commence on November 1, while boxing competitions are scheduled for November 7 to 12.
Nigeria’s athletics and road cycling representatives will compete on selected dates between November 8 and 10, bringing the country’s six sporting disciplines into action during the two-week competition.
The NSC also confirmed the venues for the various sports, with beach volleyball taking place at Saly Beach West, while table tennis and boxing will be staged at the Dakar Expo Centre.
Swimming competitions will be held at the Tour de l’Œuf complex, road cycling along Corniche Ouest, and athletics at the Iba Mar Diop Complex.
The Games will conclude on November 13 with the closing ceremony at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, after which Team Nigeria will return to Abuja following the completion of departure formalities and equipment reconciliation.
The Commission explained that the operational timeline was developed to ensure effective coordination of the contingent’s preparations, travel arrangements, accreditation procedures and competition schedules.
It is also intended to ensure that athletes and officials are adequately prepared for the technical, physical and logistical demands of competing at the international event.
Beyond the immediate competition, Nigeria’s participation in Dakar 2026 forms part of the NSC’s broader strategy to strengthen grassroots sports development, identify and nurture emerging talents, and create sustainable pathways for young athletes to progress to senior international competition.
The Dakar Games will provide another opportunity for Nigeria’s next generation of athletes to gain valuable international experience while representing the country at the historic African edition of the Youth Olympic Games.
