Nigeria’s Athletics Federation (AFN) is gearing up to assemble a formidable team, known as the ‘special squad,’ to compete for relay tickets at the upcoming World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
The national trials, scheduled to take place at Benin City’s Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium from July 5 to 7, will determine the athletes who will represent the nation on the world stage. Following the trials, the AFN’s ‘special squad’ will travel to Lome, Togo, on July 8 to participate in the Region 2 Athletics Championships, with hopes of securing relay tickets to Budapest.
Leading the charge for the Men’s 4x100m relay team is the U.S.-based sensation, Godson Oghenebrume, who boasts an impressive personal best of 9.90 seconds. Joining him is Udodi Onwuzurike, who recently achieved new personal bests of 9.92 seconds in the 100m and 19.76 seconds in the 200m. The roster also includes Favour Ashe (9.96s), Itsekiri Ushoritse (10.02s), and Akintan Sunday (10.28s).
For the Men’s 4x400m relay, the AFN has enlisted the emerging U.S.-based talent, Dubem Nwachukwu, who will make his debut representing Team Nigeria. Nwachukwu, with an impressive personal best of 44.81s, made the commendable decision to compete for his homeland, leaving the United States behind. Joining him in the relay squad are Ezekiel Nathaniel (45.69s), Raphael Eghuchulem (45.79s), the standout domestic athlete of the season, Samuel Ogazi (45.91s), and Chidera Nnamani (46.37s).
In the Women’s 4x400m team, Nigeria’s representatives for the Africa Region 2 contest in Togo include Imaobong Ntse, Ella Onojuwvewo, Patience Okon-George, Queen Osunobun, and Esther Joseph.
Additional events in Togo will feature Justin Osigwe and Tope Adesina competing in the male and female high jump events, respectively. Ese Brume, a World Championship silver medalist, and Ruth Osoro will showcase their talents in the Women’s Triple Jump/Long Jump events. Lastly, Prosper Akporere will be the sole candidate representing Nigeria in the men’s 110m hurdles.
Seigha Porbeni, the AFN’s Head Coach, confirmed that the ‘tentative team for Lome, Togo’ will be finalized after the national trials in Benin City. Nigerian athletics enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the outcome of these trials and the subsequent journey of the ‘special squad’ as they aim to secure coveted relay tickets to the World Championships in Budapest.
 is gearing up to assemble a formidable team, known as the 'special squad,' to compete for relay){kind=link}