Team Nigeria Wins First Gold at Glasgow 2026 as Athletes Receive Instant Cash Rewards
Oru Leonard
Team Nigeria opened its medal campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on a high note, claiming its first gold medal and rewarding medal-winning athletes with immediate cash incentives.
Paralympian Esther Nworgu delivered Nigeria’s first gold medal after a dominant performance in the Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting event, scoring 119.0 points to finish atop the podium.
Fellow Nigerian Esther Onyema also reached the podium, securing the bronze medal in the same event to cap a memorable outing for Team Nigeria.
Earlier in the day, Roland Ezuruike won Nigeria’s first medal of the Games, claiming silver in the Men’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting (Group A) event with 153.9 points.
In line with the Federal Government’s athlete welfare policy, the National Sports Commission (NSC) announced immediate cash rewards for the medalists.
Gold medalist Esther Nworgu received an instant $5,000 cash reward from the NSC, while another $5,000 was paid directly into her account, bringing her total reward to $10,000.
Silver medalist Roland Ezuruike was presented with an instant $2,000 cash reward and received an additional $3,000 via direct payment, earning a total of $5,000.
Bronze medalist Esther Onyema also received $2,000 at the competition venue, with a further $3,000 credited to her account, giving her a total reward of $5,000.
The immediate reward package underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to motivating and rewarding Nigerian athletes for outstanding performances at international competitions.
With three medals already secured on the opening day, Team Nigeria has made an impressive start to its Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign and will be looking to build on the early momentum in the days ahead.
