Nigeria has unveiled a youthful but ambitious team for the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, United States, with Commonwealth Games stars Jessica Oji and Miracle Ezechukwu expected to lead the country’s medal chase.
The championship, scheduled for August 5 to 9, will bring together the world’s finest junior athletes, with Team Nigeria banking on a blend of Commonwealth Games experience and emerging talent to make a strong impression.
Fresh from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Ezechukwu returns to international action after reaching the women’s 100m semifinals and helping Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m relay team qualify for the final. She will contest the women’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in Oregon.
Jessica Oji also heads into the competition in high spirits after claiming a silver medal in the women’s shot put at the Commonwealth Games. The promising thrower will compete in both the shot put and discus events as she aims to add a world junior medal to her growing collection.
The women’s squad also includes Rosemary Nwankwo and Lucy Nwankwo in the 100m, Success Oyibu and Tejiri Praise Ugoh in the 200m, Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu and Jecinta Lawrence in the 400m, while Chika Bakwunye will represent Nigeria in the 100m hurdles. Ezechukwu, Rosemary Nwankwo, Lucy Nwankwo, Success Oyibu and Bakwunye have been named for the women’s 4x100m relay, while Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinta Lawrence and Oyibu will compete in the 4x400m relay.
On the men’s side, Gift Bright and Tejiri Godwin will line up in the 100m, with Bright also entered for the 200m alongside Perfect Faye. David Udoh will compete in the 400m, while Precious Opinion will represent Nigeria in the triple jump. The men’s 4x100m relay pool consists of Bright, Faye, Godwin, Opinion and Udoh.
The National Sports Commission expressed confidence that the team can build on the momentum generated by Team Nigeria’s impressive showing at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, describing the World Athletics U20 Championships as another important step in developing the country’s next generation of international stars.
