Team Nigeria delivered its strongest showing in over ten years at the 2026 Africa Zone 2 Swimming Championships held in Dakar, Senegal, walking away with a total of 35 medals across the competition.

The impressive haul comprised 17 gold, 14 silver, and four bronze medals, spanning both individual races and relay events, according to the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF), which described the outcome as a landmark result for the country’s aquatics programme.

NAqF extended congratulations to all participating swimmers—both junior and senior categories—alongside the coaching staff and technical officials who supported the team throughout the continental meet.

Federation president Lekan Fatodu hailed the results as a major milestone for swimming in Nigeria, noting that the medal count demonstrates the dedication invested by athletes, coaches, and support staff alike. He described the Dakar performance as a source of national pride.

Fatodu also singled out the junior swimmers for praise, pointing out that their strong showing serves as valuable motivation heading into the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to hold in Dakar from October 30 through November 13.

According to Fatodu, the championship gave the federation a useful opportunity to gauge how far its young talent has progressed while simultaneously sharpening plans for upcoming international assignments.

He confirmed that NAqF intends to keep investing in athlete development initiatives, enhance competition readiness, and expand pathways for Nigerian swimmers to reach elite global stages.

The federation president voiced optimism that this Dakar success would carry positive momentum into Nigeria’s Youth Olympic Games preparations and future competitive outings, reaffirming the NAqF’s commitment to building a sustainable talent pipeline for African and international swimming.