- Team Nigeria will take 35 athletes and 11 officials to the Islamic Games Riyadh 2025.
- The NSC says the Islamic Games are part of Nigeria’s preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
- Athletes are already training in Abuja ahead of Riyadh 2025.
- Boxing events begin November 4, before the official opening of the Islamic Games.
Nigeria has officially confirmed its participation in the Sixth Islamic Games holding in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 7 to 21, 2025. According to the National Sports Commission (NOC), the country will send a 46-member delegation that includes 35 athletes and 11 officials.
Team Nigeria will compete in seven sports: athletics, para athletics, para powerlifting, weightlifting, wrestling, boxing, and taekwondo. The NSC Director General, Bukola Olopade, explained that the Islamic Games are not just another international outing but a crucial phase in Nigeria’s long-term development plan for the Olympics.
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Olopade emphasized that the Riyadh event is part of a broader strategic pathway leading to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He highlighted that the Games offer a chance for Nigerian athletes to compete with strong contenders from Islamic countries, noting that many of these nations have world-class competitors in combat and power sports.
He added that Team Nigeria’s training camp in Abuja is already active and filled with confidence and motivation. The advance party leaves for Riyadh today to secure logistics and facilities before the rest of the team arrives. The boxing contingent will be the first to compete, with matches starting on November 4, a few days before the official opening ceremony.
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This year’s edition will feature 21 sports and two para-sports, bringing together athletes from member nations of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Interestingly, Saudi Arabia hosted the inaugural edition of the Islamic Games in 2005, making this their second time as hosts.
With strong preparation and strategic focus, the Nigerian team is heading to Riyadh determined to make a statement, win medals, and continue building momentum towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
