Nigeria’s women’s 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball team has etched its name in history by qualifying for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Dominant Performance in Qualifiers
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the Nigerian team defeated a resilient South Africa 8-3 in a hard-fought final to secure the qualification ticket in the women’s category.
Earlier in the semifinals, Nigeria produced a commanding 6-2 victory over Kenya, showcasing their superiority and tactical discipline throughout the competition.
This achievement makes Nigeria the first African nation to qualify in this discipline for the Commonwealth Games.
2026 Commonwealth Games qualifiers: Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball team hit semi-final – Blueprint Newspapers Limited
Men’s Team narrowly Miss Out
While the women celebrated, the Nigerian men’s team fell short, losing 13-8 to South Africa in their final. The defeat meant they missed out on the sole qualification spot available in the men’s category.
NSF 2025: Ogun clinches wheelchair basketball gold with dominant 8–1 final win
Federation President Hails Historic Feat
Reacting to the milestone, Oluwaseyi Johnson, President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, commended the athletes and coaching staff for their outstanding performance, discipline, teamwork, and fighting spirit.
“This success is a reflection of sheer hard work and unwavering commitment,” he said. Johnson noted that the qualification will inspire a new generation of para-athletes and significantly elevate the profile of para-sports across Nigeria.
International Wheelchair Basketball Federation Chairperson, Seyi Johnson
Gratitude to Key Stakeholders
Johnson extended special appreciation to the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for their continued support and for creating enabling environments for para-athletes to thrive internationally.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to sports development and inclusivity, emphasising that such backing has been crucial to Nigeria’s growing success in para-sports.
The Chairperson of the IWBF West African Zone reinforced that this level of institutional support has been instrumental in positioning Nigerian athletes for global success.
From Glasgow with love!
A Proud Moment for Nigerian Para-Sports
This qualification represents a major breakthrough for wheelchair basketball and para-sports in Nigeria. The women’s team will now prepare to compete on the Commonwealth stage when Glasgow hosts the 2026 Games from 23 July to 2 August.
