Nigeria Dominates Inaugural West Africa Para Games in Abeokuta

Team Nigeria has emerged overall champions of the maiden West Africa Para Games, capping six days of exciting competition in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with a commanding medals haul that showcased the country’s strength in Para sports.

Nigeria finished comfortably on top of the medals table with 59 gold, 39 silver, and 31 bronze medals. Benin Republic followed in a distant second with 4 gold, 4 silver, and 14 bronze medals, while Ghana placed third, claiming 3 gold, 15 silver, and 21 bronze medals. Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire completed the top five positions, with the Cameroonians earning 1 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze, and the Ivorians securing 1 gold.

The final gold medal of the Games came from Nigeria’s Amputee Football team, who defeated Liberia 1–0 during Wednesday’s closing ceremony.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, hailed the event as a milestone for African sports and celebrated the more than 400 Para athletes who competed.

He praised the Ogun State Government for its support, noting that the state continues to align strongly with the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE).

Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, also expressed pride in the performance of athletes from across the region, adding that the Games have further promoted visibility and confidence in Para sports. He pledged the Commission’s continuous push to host more international Para sporting events.

President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Sunday Odebode, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sustained encouragement for people living with disabilities through the NSC. He also applauded Dikko and Olopade for what he described as transformative leadership in Para sports development.

Odebode extended appreciation to the Local Organising Committee, led by Victor Achakpo, for delivering a successful and groundbreaking competition that he said will be remembered across the region.