The National Sports Commission (NSC) has increased the financial rewards for Nigerian athletes who win medals at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The commission said the adjustment was designed to provide additional motivation for Team Nigeria athletes as they compete for honours at the Games.
The NSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Kehinde Ajayi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, quoting the commission’s Chairman, Shehu Dikko.
Under the revised package, athletes who win gold medals will receive a total of $10,000. The amount consists of $5,000 in immediate cash and another $5,000 to be paid directly into their bank accounts.
Silver medallists will receive $5,000, made up of $2,000 in instant cash and $3,000 paid into their accounts, while bronze medallists will receive $3,000, comprising $1,000 in cash and $2,000 through bank transfers.
Dikko explained that the previous reward for gold medallists stood at $8,000, with $3,000 paid instantly and $5,000 transferred to their accounts.
He said the decision to increase the instant cash component followed his interaction with members of Team Nigeria in Aberdeen.
“After meeting the team in Aberdeen, I decided to increase the instant cash reward to $5,000 as added motivation for all gold medal hopefuls,” Dikko said.
According to him, three Nigerian athletes who secured gold medals on Friday had already received the revised $10,000 reward each, correcting earlier reports that they were paid $8,000.
He added that the two gold medallists from Saturday, as well as the silver medallists, had also received their instant cash rewards of $5,000 and $2,000 respectively.
The NSC chairman further announced an incentive for coaches, stating that coaches whose athletes win gold medals will receive $5,000.
The commission said the enhanced reward structure reflects its commitment to motivating Team Nigeria athletes and recognising outstanding performances at the Glasgow Games.