The National Sports Commission (NSC) has increased performance bonuses and instant cash rewards for Nigerian athletes competing at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, in a bid to boost morale and sustain Team Nigeria’s performance.
Under the revised incentive package, approved by the commission’s leadership, gold medallists will receive a total of $10,000, comprising an instant cash award of $5,000 presented at the podium and a further $5,000 paid into their bank accounts.
Silver medallists will receive a total of $5,000, including $2,000 in instant cash and $3,000 by bank transfer, while bronze medallists will earn $3,000, made up of a $1,000 cash award and $2,000 transferred to their accounts.
The revised package marks an increase from the earlier arrangement, under which gold medallists were to receive $8,000, consisting of $3,000 in cash and a $5,000 bank transfer.
According to a statement issued by the NSC’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Kehinde Ajayi, the Commission’s Chairman, Shehu Dikko, said the decision followed consultations with Team Nigeria athletes in Aberdeen.
“I decided to increase the instant cash reward to $5,000 as added motivation for all gold medal hopefuls,” Dikko said.
The commission said all three athletes who won gold medals on Friday had received the full $10,000 each, correcting earlier reports that they would receive $8,000. It added that the two gold medallists from Saturday, as well as the silver medallists, had also received their instant cash payments of $5,000 and $2,000 respectively.
The NSC also announced enhanced incentives for coaches, who will receive $5,000 for every athlete they guide to a gold medal. Athletes are also entitled to a daily allowance of $200, while coaches will receive $250 per day throughout the Games.
In addition, the commission said it had introduced discretionary bonuses for exceptional performances. It cited the example of heavyweight weightlifter Rilwan Idris, who received an on-the-spot cash reward before his event, which it said motivated him to improve from a potential bronze-medal finish to winning gold. Combined with the standard gold medal bonus, Idris received a total reward of $15,000.
The commission said the enhanced welfare package forms part of its broader strategy to ensure Team Nigeria remains well supported, motivated and competitive throughout the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
