History of Nigeria at the Paralympics

The story

How Nigeria became a Paralympic power

Paralympics Games is one of the most populous sports/ games worldwide being an international event which comprises of various ranges of athletes with disabilities such as vision impairment, limb deficiency, and intellectual disability, deaf or hard of hearing, physical disability, the impaired passive range of movement, and impaired muscle power.

Paralympics Games are held immediately after Olympic Games, and all Paralympics Games are governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) which is a non-profit organization and the governing body for the Paralympic Movement worldwide.

Nigeria first participated in Paralympics Game at the 1992 Summer Paralympics held in Barcelona with six athletes competing in track and field, powerlifting and table tennis events, claiming three gold medals. They returned in 1996 in Atlanta and won 7 gold medals at the 2000 Summer Paralympics held in Sydney, and since then have been in participation till date with their skilful disabled athletes representing them in Paralympics tournaments.

Nigeria has recorded 42 gold medals, 22 silver and 23 bronze, 87 medals in all, in the Paralympic Games up to Paris 2024 and still counting. The number of athletes and nations participating in the Paralympic Games, which are also part of the Paralympic Movement, is constantly increasing. This particular sport for individuals with a disability is rapidly progressing in Nigeria sports and games as well.