NSC SETS OUT TEAM NIGERIA’S ROADMAP FOR DAKAR 2026 YOUTH OLYMPICS
… Athletes to compete in six sports as Nigeria begins final preparations
Oru Leonard
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has outlined the operational schedule for Team Nigeria’s participation in the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to hold in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026.
The Games will make history as the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted on African soil, bringing together promising young athletes from across the globe to compete in various sporting disciplines.
Nigeria will participate in six sports: athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball.
According to the operational timeline released by the NSC on Thursday, the Nigerian contingent will undergo a 21-day local camping programme from October 9 to 29, ahead of its departure from Abuja on October 29.
The camping exercise is designed to ensure that athletes and officials are adequately prepared for the international competition. Activities will include medical screening, anti-doping education, technical and tactical training, kit fitting, travel documentation and the final verification of participation requirements.
Team Nigeria is expected to arrive in Dakar on October 30 for accreditation, accommodation arrangements, equipment checks, technical meetings and familiarisation with competition venues across the host zones of Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
The opening ceremony will take place on October 31 at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, with competitions in table tennis and beach volleyball also scheduled to commence that day.
Swimming events will begin on November 1, while boxing competitions are scheduled for November 7 to 12. Athletics and road cycling will take place on selected dates between November 8 and 10.
The competition venues have been designated as Saly Beach West for beach volleyball; Dakar Expo Centre for table tennis and boxing; the Tour de l’Œuf complex for swimming; Corniche Ouest for road cycling; and the Iba Mar Diop Complex for athletics.
The Games will conclude with the closing ceremony at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium on November 13, after which the Nigerian delegation is expected to return to Abuja following the completion of departure procedures and equipment reconciliation.
The NSC explained that the operational timeline was developed to coordinate the team’s preparations, travel arrangements, accreditation procedures and competition schedules, while ensuring that athletes and officials are ready for the demands of the global sporting event.
Nigeria’s participation in Dakar 2026 is also expected to support the country’s grassroots sports development drive by providing a platform for emerging athletes to gain international exposure and experience.
The initiative aligns with efforts to identify, nurture and develop young sporting talents capable of progressing to elite international competitions and representing Nigeria at future major sporting events.
The press release was signed by Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media to the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, on October 22, 2026.
