Swimming · Olympics & Games
Olympics, Commonwealth and African Games
Every Nigerian Olympic swimmer, Commonwealth Games finalists and African Games medals.
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Checked 30 September 2026
Nigeria at the Olympic Games
Nigeria first entered a swimmer at Montreal 1976, but the African boycott of those Games meant John Ebito never raced. The first Nigerians to swim at the Olympics were Musa Bakare and Joshua Ikhaghomi at Barcelona 1992. Since then Nigeria has sent swimmers to every Games except London 2012.
| Games | Swimmer | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 Montreal | John Ebito | 100/200 m freestyle and butterfly | Entered, did not start |
| 1992 Barcelona | Musa Bakare | 50 m freestyle; 100 m butterfly | 41st (24.13); 52nd |
| 1992 Barcelona | Joshua Ikhaghomi | 50 m and 100 m freestyle | 39th (27.53); 42nd |
| 1996 Atlanta | Musa Bakare | 50 m freestyle | Entered, did not start |
| 2000 Sydney | Gentle Offoin | 100 m freestyle | 60th (52.91) |
| 2000 Sydney | Ngozi Monu | 50 m freestyle | 57th (28.20) |
| 2004 Athens | Eric Williams | 100 m breaststroke | 53rd (1:07.69) |
| 2004 Athens | Iyingiyikabo Obia | 100 m backstroke | 39th (1:09.65) |
| 2008 Beijing | Yellow Yeiyah | 50 m freestyle | 55th (24.00) |
| 2008 Beijing | Ngozi Monu | 50 m freestyle | 52nd (27.39) |
| 2016 Rio | Samson Opuakpo | 50 m freestyle | 59th (24.85) |
| 2016 Rio | Rachael Tonjor | 100 m breaststroke | 42nd (1:21.43) |
| 2020 Tokyo | Abiola Ogunbanwo | 100 m freestyle | 48th (59.74, national record) |
| 2024 Paris | Tobi Sijuade | 50 m freestyle | 43rd (23.34) |
| 2024 Paris | Adaku Nwandu | 50 m freestyle | 33rd (26.62) |
African Games
Nigeria has won 31 swimming medals at the African Games: 4 gold, 12 silver and 15 bronze. The medals we have verified individually include:
| Games | Swimmer | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Abuja | Ngozi Monu | Women’s 50 m freestyle | Silver (27.71) |
| 2007 Algiers | Yellow Yeiyah | Men’s 50 m butterfly | Silver |
| 2011 Maputo | Rachael Tonjor | Women’s 50 m breaststroke | Bronze (33.81, national record) |
| 2011 Maputo | Titilayo Badmus | Para 200 m individual medley | Bronze |
| 2023 Accra (March 2024) | Abdul Jabar Adama, Clinton Opute, Tobi Sijuade, Colins Ebingha | Men’s 4×100 m freestyle relay | Bronze (3:26.01) |
Commonwealth Games
Nigerian swimmers have raced at the Commonwealth Games since Cardiff 1958. At Glasgow 2026 teenager Abdul Jabar Adama reached the 50 m butterfly final and finished fifth.
| Games | Nigerian swimmers | Best result |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 Cardiff | Job Ofongo, Horace Kantu (our records) | Took part |
| 1966 Kingston | Paul Okwuma, Joseph Afekafe, Modupe Enigbokan, Christopher Adingupu (our records) | Took part |
| 2026 Glasgow | Abdul Jabar Adama, Clinton Opute, Colins Obi Ebingha, Dorcas Oka | Adama 5th in the 50 m butterfly final |
From our archive
Achievements and competitions
The sports of swimming in Nigeria is on the promising side as the sports team is progressively making a headway for the country in both national and international competitions. Some swimmers have made great achievements in this sports and it includes;
- Nigeria swimming team won 10 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals at African Swimming Confederation (CANA) Zone Two Swimming Championship, held in Senegal in the year 2016.
- Again, at the 2nd Africa Zone 2 Junior swimming Championship billed for October 27 to 29 2017 Nigeria won the total of 87 medals (26 gold, 35 Silver and 26 Bronze).
Medal winners at the 2016 CANA Zone Two senior championships in Senegal
- Chinelo Iyadi won gold in the 50m breaststroke and 100m women butterfly
- Evelyn Nmor won gold in the women 100m breaststroke and silver in the 50m breaststroke
- Yellow Yeiyah won silver in the men’s 50m breaststroke
Below are some of the swimming sports competitions that Nigeria has featured in;
Past National Events
- National Age Group Competition, Ilorin (2002)
- National Age Group Competition, Lagos (2009)
- 1st National Swimming Classics, Ibadan (2010)
- 2nd National Swimming Classics, Lagos (2010)
- 1st NDDC States Secondary Schools Championship, P/Harcourt (2011)
- Lagos International Swimming Classics, Lagos (2013)
International Competitions
- Africa Zone 2 Junior Swimming Championships 2016
- Africa Zone 2 Senior Swimming Championships 2016
- African Junior Swimming Championship 2017
- African Senior Swimming Championships 2017
- FINA World Aquatics Championships
- FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)
- African Youth Games
- African Games
- Commonwealth Games
- Olympic Games
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Keep reading
Swimming in Nigeria
From river communities to Olympic pools.Read more
History of swimming in Nigeria
The 1938 gala, 1958 association and coach Watts.Read more
Nigerian swimmers
Adama, Yeiyah, Iyadi, Nmor and the Hall of Fame.Read more
Abdul Jabar Adama
World junior medallist and record breaker.Read more
Yellow Yeiyah
Beijing 2008 Olympian from Ondo State.Read more
Contact the NAqF
The Nigeria Aquatics Federation.Read more
Quick answers
Swimming results: quick answers
Has a Nigerian swimmer ever reached an Olympic final?
Not yet. Thirteen Nigerian swimmers have been entered at the Olympics since 1976, and the best placings have come in the 50 m freestyle, such as Adaku Nwandu’s 33rd at Paris 2024.
Has Nigeria won Commonwealth Games swimming medals?
We have found no Nigerian swimming medal at the Commonwealth Games. The best recent result is Abdul Jabar Adama’s 5th place in the 50 m butterfly final at Glasgow 2026.
How did Nigeria do in swimming at the 2023 African Games?
Nigeria’s men won bronze in the 4×100 m freestyle relay in 3:26.01 on 12 March 2024 in Accra.