Team Nigeria made an impressive start to its Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign, with para powerlifters Esther Nworgu, Esther Oyema and Roland Ezuruike delivering three medals on the opening day while becoming the first beneficiaries of the National Sports Commission’s enhanced performance-based reward system.
The biggest celebration came in the women’s lightweight event, where Esther Nworgu powered her way to gold with a commanding display that underlined Nigeria’s dominance in para powerlifting. Her victory not only earned Team Nigeria its first gold medal of the Games but also secured the national anthem a place on the podium.
For her achievement, Nworgu received an instant cash reward of $3,000 at the competition venue, while an additional $5,000 was paid directly into her account, taking her total reward to $8,000.
Behind her was fellow Nigerian Esther Oyema, who completed a memorable one-two finish by claiming silver. The experienced 44-year-old came agonisingly close to rewriting the Commonwealth Games record, missing a 125kg lift on her opening attempt before successfully clearing the weight on her second effort to finish with 115.5 points.
Oyema’s consistency and resilience once again highlighted why she remains one of Nigeria’s most decorated para athletes. She was rewarded with $2,000 instantly at the venue and another $3,000 paid directly into her account, bringing her total reward to $5,000.
Earlier in the day, Roland Ezuruike had opened Nigeria’s medal account after producing a spirited performance in the men’s lightweight Group A event. The Paralympian finished with 153.9 points to secure silver and came within touching distance of gold after boldly attempting a Commonwealth Games record 190kg lift on his final attempt.
Although the record lift narrowly eluded him, Ezuruike’s silver medal gave Team Nigeria the perfect start to its campaign. Like Oyema, he received an instant $2,000 cash reward from the National Sports Commission, with an additional $3,000 transferred into his account, taking his total reward to $5,000.
The immediate financial rewards indicate the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to athlete welfare, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to reward podium performances already becoming a reality in Glasgow.
With one gold and two silver medals already secured on the opening day, Team Nigeria has laid down an early marker and will be hoping to build on the momentum as the Commonwealth Games continue.
