Nigeria targets late qualification for 2026 World Athletics Relays as AFN prepares athletes for final meets before April deadline

Nigeria is making a late push to secure qualification for the 2026 World Athletics Relays, with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) banking on upcoming competitions to improve its standings before the qualification deadline.

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The Nigeria World Athletics Relays 2026 qualification push comes as the country’s women’s 4x400m relay team currently sits just inside the qualification zone but remains at risk of dropping out due to increasing global competition.

AFN president Tonobok Okowa stated that the federation is shifting focus from the World Indoor Championships to relay qualification and preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s women’s 4x400m team currently occupies the 23rd position out of the 24 available qualification slots, making the remaining meets critical for securing participation.

The team had earlier recorded a time of 3:31.14 at the Champs Athletics Classics in Calabar, which initially boosted their qualification hopes.

However, with the qualification window closing on April 5, Nigeria is expected to rely heavily on upcoming international meets to improve its timing and ranking.

A key opportunity will come at the “Battle on the Bayou” meet in the United States, where Nigerian athletes based in American universities are expected to compete and attempt faster relay times.

Before that, Nigeria will also participate in the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone, which will serve as both preparation and another qualification opportunity.

The federation has also indicated that domestic competitions, including events in Jos, may still offer additional chances for athletes to meet qualifying standards.

The 2026 World Athletics Relays are scheduled to take place in Botswana, marking the first time the event will be hosted on African soil.

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Nigeria will be aiming to secure its place and improve performance levels ahead of major international competitions in the coming seasons.