By Ben Efe 20.7.2026
Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials are feeling good about the arrival of new sprint sensation Kanyinsola Ajayi in the camp of Nigerian athletes preparing for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
There have been speculations on the availability of the athlete who recently won the London Diamond League with time of 9.84 seconds, along others like Samuel Ogazi and Ella Onojuwvehwo, but Ajayi seems ready to run in Glasgow, Scotland and Nigerians officials are already banking on him to deliver in the individual sprint and relays.
“We are happy to have Ajayi in camp, he joined us on Sunday,” said an official of the AFN.
Meanwhile following Ajayi’s meteoric rise in the world sprints, 1992 world junior champion and Olympic 4×100 medalist Deji Aliu has predicted that the athlete will be the first Nigeria to win an Olympic and World Championships top spot. Perhaps this would be achieved in next year’s Worlds in Beijing, China and the 2028 Olympics that comes after it.
“Ajayi is in great form no doubt If he keeps this trajectory, I genuinely believe in my projection we are looking at Nigeria’s first individual Olympic or World Champion.
However, Aliu who is now one of Nigeria’s best known sprint coaches stated that for Ajayi to stay on course he needs to be focused.
” And most important he has to stay healthy, injury free and keep doing what is working for him”
The athletics events of the Commonwealth Games begin on July 27 at the Scotstoun Stadium where Nigerian sports officials are hoping the athletics team will boost their aim to do well on the medals table.
