In a major morale-boosting moment at the 2025 Africa Weightlifting Championship in Moka, Mauritius, the Nigerian contingent has received a personal donation of $3,800 from Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Hon. Olopade, who is on ground in Mauritius to rally support for the team, handed over the donation during a meeting with athletes and officials of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation on Wednesday.
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“I bring you greetings from our Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the father of sports in Nigeria,” Olopade began, urging the team to aim for gold and stay focused. “More gold, more money—as you win, you get your alert.”
In a surprise announcement, Olopade revealed that four Nigerian weightlifters have been shortlisted in the prestigious A Category of the Elite Athletes Programme. Each will receive $20,000 annually, with an initial $5,000 training grant installment dropping next week.
“This is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he added. “Your welfare remains our top priority.”
The Nigerian team, made up of six athletes—four women and two men—are eyeing the podium at the continental championship, with eyes also set on the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and the Paris 2026 Olympics.
This financial injection signals renewed confidence and support for Nigerian weightlifting on the international stage.
