Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel has made history by becoming the country’s first-ever Commonwealth Games men’s 400m hurdles champion after claiming gold at the 2026 Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The 23-year-old delivered a commanding performance at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday, crossing the finish line in 48.47 seconds to secure Nigeria’s first track gold medal of the Games.
Nathaniel finished well ahead of England’s Jake Minshull, who claimed silver after dipping below the 49-second mark, while Jamaica’s Assinie Wilson settled for bronze.
The victory also sees Nathaniel surpass the achievement of Kingsley Agbabokha, whose silver medal at the 1996 Commonwealth Games had remained Nigeria’s best result in the event, then contested as the 440-yard hurdles.
The historic triumph further strengthens Nathaniel’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s leading quarter-mile hurdlers and provides Nigeria with a major boost in its athletics campaign in Glasgow.
“I wanted to make history for Nigeria, and I’m grateful the hard work has paid off,” Nathaniel said after the race.
Nigeria added another athletics medal later on Friday as Udodi Onwuzurike claimed silver in the men’s 200 metres with a season-best time of 20.09 seconds.
The 23-year-old produced a strong finish to edge Jamaica’s Christopher Taylor, who took bronze in 20.11 seconds. South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile won the gold medal after clocking 19.96 seconds.
Onwuzurike’s silver complements Nigeria’s growing medal tally at the Games, with the country’s sprinters and hurdlers continuing to deliver impressive performances.
Earlier, world record holder Tobi Amusan secured bronze in the women’s 100m hurdles, while Kanyinsola Ajayi also finished with a bronze medal, underlining Nigeria’s strong showing on the athletics track.
Nathaniel’s landmark victory and Onwuzurike’s podium finish further enhance Nigeria’s medal haul as the Commonwealth Games continue in Glasgow.
