Nigeria will have five quarter milers competing in the men’s and women’s 400m semifinals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Thursday, as the country intensifies its push for medals in the athletics programme, Trybal News reports.
The Nigerian team features two men and three women, with Samuel Ogazi and Ella Onojuvwevwo receiving automatic qualification to the semifinals through their world rankings. Meanwhile, Patience Okon George, Esther Joseph and Eddidiong Udo secured their places after impressive performances in Tuesday’s preliminary heats.
Udo made an outstanding impression on his international 400m debut for Nigeria by winning Heat 1 in 45.73 seconds to qualify automatically for the men’s semifinals. He will compete from lane eight in the third semifinal as he looks to continue his impressive run.
Ogazi, one of Nigeria’s strongest medal hopes, will line up in lane five of the opening men’s semifinal. The highly rated quarter miler will aim to secure a place in the final and strengthen his chances of reaching the podium.
In the women’s event, experienced campaigner Patience Okon George qualified automatically after finishing fourth in her heat with a time of 53.27 seconds. She has been drawn in lane three for the first semifinal.
Esther Joseph will also feature in the opening women’s semifinal after placing third in her heat in 52.82 seconds. She will run from lane four alongside her Nigerian teammate as both athletes chase qualification for the final.
Nigeria’s third women’s semifinalist, Ella Onojuvwevwo, will compete in lane seven of the third semifinal. Having earned direct qualification through her world ranking, she will be looking to justify her status by booking a place in the medal race.
With five athletes progressing to the semifinals across both the men’s and women’s 400m events, Nigeria boasts one of the strongest representations in the competition. The team will now be aiming to convert that depth into multiple appearances in the finals as the athletics programme gathers momentum in Glasgow.
