Nigeria’s athletics team is set to depart for the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, focused on securing qualification places for upcoming major global championships and competing for podium finishes.
The 24-member squad, made up of a mix of rising talents and experienced athletes, will travel on Monday aboard Ethiopian Airlines, transiting through Addis Ababa before arriving in Botswana.
The two-day championship will run from May 2 to May 3, 2026, with Nigeria participating in all six relay events. The team will be overseen by four coaches led by Gabriel Okon, Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). 
Ahead of the team’s arrival, an advance delegation headed by AFN Secretary Israel Inwang reached Gaborone on Sunday, following the athletes’ official pre-departure photo session.
This edition of the World Athletics Relays is particularly significant, as it serves as a qualification route to both the World Athletics Championships Beijing 2027 and the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
In total, 723 athletes from 40 countries are registered for the event. All six defending relay champions from 2025 are expected to compete, along with several countries that have won medals at recent World Championships and Olympic Games.
Nigeria’s mission is clear: deliver strong relay performances and secure passage to the next level of global athletics competition.