Tinubu tells Commonwealth athletes: win clean or don't win
President Tinubu has charged Team Nigeria to prioritise integrity and clean competition ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
President Bola Tinubu has charged Team Nigeria to prioritise integrity, discipline and patriotism as they head to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Represented by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila at a presidential send-off ceremony in Abuja, the president urged the athletes to pursue a historic medal haul while ensuring their victories are secured through fair competition.
“Go to Glasgow with confidence, discipline, and unity. We must remember that we’re exporting our moral values as a nation,” he stated, referencing previous challenges in Birmingham as a lesson for the current squad. “Winning is important, but winning clean is more important. Medals are valuable, but integrity is priceless.”
The president highlighted the administration’s recent efforts to overhaul anti-doping systems, including signing the Nigerian Anti-Doping Act and inaugurating the Nigerian Anti-Doping Centre board. “We are determined as a country to build a sports system where our athletes can succeed without suspicion,” he said.
The delegation was led to the Presidential Villa by National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko, Director General Bukola Olopade and National Institute for Sports Director General Philip Shaibu. The NSC unveiled global sportswear giant PUMA as the official kit partner for Team Nigeria. The commission maintains a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct, warning that any athlete or official found guilty of doping or indiscipline will face severe sanctions, including potential expulsion.
This is not the first time Nigeria has faced doping scandals at major games. The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham saw several Nigerian athletes disqualified for doping violations, tarnishing the country’s reputation. The current administration’s anti-doping push is a direct response to those failures.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to take place from 23 July to 2 August, with 72 Nigerian athletes competing across 10 sports disciplines.
The winners: clean athletes who compete fairly. The losers: anyone who thinks they can cheat their way to a medal, and Nigeria’s reputation if the anti-doping systems fail again.
Bottom Line: Tinubu says win clean. The test is whether the systems behind the words can deliver.