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Rowing · Olympics & Games

Olympics, African and Commonwealth Games

Every Nigerian Olympic rower and canoeist, and Nigeria’s results at the African Games.

A Nigerian slalom canoeist in white water

Checked 30 September 2026

Nigeria at the Olympic Games

Nigeria’s first Olympic paddler was slalom canoeist Jonathan Akinyemi at London 2012. Four years later Chierika Ukogu became Nigeria’s first Olympic rower, and at Tokyo 2020 Esther Toko became the first home-based Nigerian rower at the Games.

Nigerians in Olympic rowing and canoeing
GamesAthleteSport and eventResult
London 2012Jonathan AkinyemiCanoe slalom: men’s K1Heats
Rio 2016Chierika UkoguRowing: women’s single sculls20th
Rio 2016Jonathan AkinyemiCanoe slalom: men’s K120th
Tokyo 2020Esther TokoRowing: women’s single sculls30th
Tokyo 2020Ayomide BelloCanoe sprint: women’s C1 200 mCompeted
Paris 2024Ayomide BelloCanoe sprintCompeted

African Games

Rowing and canoeing were on the programme of the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco. Rowing took place at the Barrage Mohammed Ben Abdellah in Salé from 20 to 23 August 2019.

Nigeria in rowing and canoeing at the African Games
GamesAthleteEventResult
2019 RabatAyomide BelloCanoe sprint: C1 200 m, C1 500 m, C2 200 m, C2 500 m4 golds
2019 RabatGlory Abu SemidaraRowing: women’s single sculls (1,000 m)5th, 4:24.01
2019 RabatEsther TokoRowing and canoe eventsCompeted in four events

Commonwealth Games

Rowing has not been part of the Commonwealth Games since 1986, and canoeing has never been a Commonwealth sport, so Nigeria’s rowers and canoeists have no Commonwealth results. See Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games for the sports where Nigeria competes.

Jonathan Akinyemi in Nigerian colours at a slalom course

Quick answers

Rowing results: quick answers

Why is there no rowing at the Commonwealth Games?

Rowing was last held at the Commonwealth Games in 1986 and is no longer on the programme, so Nigerian rowers aim for the Olympics, the African Games and the African Rowing Championships.

What did Nigeria win in canoeing at the 2019 African Games?

Four golds, all by Ayomide Bello in canoe sprint: C1 200 m, C1 500 m, C2 200 m and C2 500 m.