Five Years On, Nigeria Renew World U20 4x400m Gold Quest

Nigeria will chase a second World U20 women’s 4x400m relay gold medal in five years when the quartet lines up in Sunday’s final in Oregon, hoping to emulate the historic team that triumphed in Nairobi in 2021.

Nigeria first claimed the World U20 women’s 4x400m title five years ago in Nairobi, with the team led by Imaobong Nse Uko, who had earlier won the individual women’s 400m title at the championships.

That victory marked Nigeria’s first gold medal in the event after the country had previously collected two silver and one bronze medal, and it established the Nigerians as a force to be reckoned with in the junior 4x400m.

Five years later, another generation has the opportunity to write its own chapter.

The Nigerians booked their place in Sunday’s final with a 3:35.28 performance in the heats and will start from Lane 3, with Jamaica in Lane 2 and Australia in Lane 4.

The United States, which has the fastest 2026 time among the finalists at 3:32.66, will run in Lane 6, while Italy, Great Britain, Germany and Slovenia complete the field alongside India.

Nigeria’s 3:30.84 season best, however, is significantly faster than the time produced in the heats and puts the quartet firmly in medal contention.

Australia has run 3:33.68 this year, Jamaica 3:34.03 and Germany 3:34.35, suggesting a fiercely contested battle for the medals behind the United States.

The Nigerian quartet therefore has a chance not only to add another medal to the country’s impressive World U20 4x400m history, but also to become only the second Nigerian women’s team to win the event.

Five years after Nse Uko and her teammates made history in Nairobi, Nigeria’s latest generation of quarter-milers now has the opportunity to bring the World U20 4x400m crown back to the country.