Nathaniel, Ogazi Strike NCAA Gold, Godbless and Onojuvwevwo Poised for History

It was a night of brilliance for Nigeria at the NCAA Championships as Nathaniel Ezekiel blazed to a personal best of 47.49s to clinch gold in the men’s 400m hurdles, breaking the national record. The 21-year-old became only the second Nigerian to win the title, after Miles Ukaoma’s 2014 feat, and now ranks third all-time in Africa—only behind Zambia’s Samuel Matete (47.10) and Senegal’s Amadou Dia Bâ (47.23).

In the flat 400m, Samuel Ogazi lived up to the hype, clocking 44.84s to take gold and improve on his silver from last year. The 19-year-old became the first Nigerian since Clement Chukwu in 1999 to win the men’s NCAA 400m, finishing as the only finalist under 45s.

Meanwhile, the men’s 100m final saw Kanyinsola Ajayi and Israel Okon just miss the podium despite stellar semifinal runs. Ajayi, who ran 9.92s in the semis, settled for 4th place (10.13s), while Okon placed 7th with 10.18s. The title went to Jordan Anthony (10.07s), with Max Thomas and Jelani Watkins sharing silver in 10.10s.

In the women’s sprints, Tima Godbless surged into the 100m final with a 10.91s run and eyes a spot in NCAA history alongside Blessing Okagbare. Though her sprint double hopes fell short, gold remains within reach.

Temitope Adeshina could also make history as the first Nigerian to win the NCAA high jump title. A win would also make her the second Nigerian woman ever to claim both indoor and outdoor field event crowns in the same season, following Ruth Usoro.

And in the 400m, Ella Onojuvwevwo delivered a lifetime best of 50.31s to book her spot in the final. A win would make her Nigeria’s first-ever women’s NCAA 400m champion—and possibly the third woman from the country to break the fabled 50-second barrier.