Meet Jessica Oji, Nigeria’s first Commonwealth shot put medallist in 20 years

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Nineteen-year-old Jessica Oji has etched her name into Nigerian athletics history after becoming the first Nigerian woman in two decades to win a Commonwealth Games shot put medal.

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Oji delivered a remarkable performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games to claim the silver medal in the women’s shot put event, ending Nigeria’s long wait for a podium finish in the discipline.

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According to a post shared on X on Friday, ESPN Africa said, “19-year-old Jessica Oji makes history for Nigeria. The shot put sensation wins silver at the Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Nigerian woman to claim a Commonwealth shot put medal since 2006.”

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Her achievement makes her the first Nigerian female shot put medallist at the Commonwealth Games since 2002, marking a breakthrough for the young athlete and the country’s athletics programme.

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The 19-year-old’s impressive display adds to Team Nigeria’s strong showing in Glasgow, where Nigerian athletes have continued to secure medals across several sports, including athletics, weightlifting, para powerlifting, boxing and 3×3 basketball.

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Oji’s success represents a new chapter for Nigerian field events and highlights the emergence of a talented generation of athletes capable of competing at the highest level.

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With her Commonwealth Games silver medal, the young shot put sensation has placed herself among Nigeria’s rising sporting stars and provided renewed hope for the future of the country’s athletics.

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