Nigerian Sports Commission boosts incentives for national team, offers lucrative rewards

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The National Sports Commission has announced an upward review of performance bonuses and instant rewards for Team Nigeria athletes competing at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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Commission chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the new package was approved to further motivate the contingent following discussions with the director-general.

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“During a brief meeting with the Director General, we agreed to increase the athletes’ bonuses. Gold medal winners will now receive $10,000 in total, $5,000 cash instant reward and $5,000 paid directly into their account.

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“Silver medallists will get $5,000 in total, $2,000 cash instantly and $3,000 paid to their account. Bronze medallists will receive $3,000 in total, $1,000 cash instant and $2,000 paid to their account,” Dikko said.

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He explained that the initial structure had been $8,000 for gold, comprising $3,000 cash instant and $5,000 to account, but had since been revised upward. “After meeting the team in Aberdeen, I decided to increase the instant cash reward to $5,000 as added motivation for all gold medal hopefuls,” he added.

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Dikko disclosed that all three gold medallists from the Games’ opening day had already received $10,000 each, contrary to earlier reports of $8,000, while the two gold medallists and the silver medallists from the second day had also received their instant cash payments of $5,000 and $2,000 respectively.

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On coaching incentives, Dikko said coaches would receive $5,000 if their athlete won gold, adding that athletes were on a daily allowance of $200, while coaches received $250 per day.

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He also cited an on-the-spot cash reward given to Rilwan Idris to motivate him from a potential bronze position to gold, noting that special bonuses existed under such special circumstances.

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The Commission said the enhanced welfare package formed part of efforts to ensure Team Nigeria remained fully supported and motivated throughout the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

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