Nigeria’s women’s 4×400 metres relay team has secured a place at the 2026 World Relays Championships after a strong performance at the MTN Champs Athletics Classics in Calabar, Cross River State.

The quartet of Patience Okon-George, Anita Enaruna, Treasure Okereke and Jecinter Lawrence delivered a decisive run on the final day of the competition, finishing in 3:31.14 to seal qualification for the global event scheduled to take place in Botswana.

The time lifted Nigeria to 21st in the world rankings and pushed Mexico out of the qualification places for the championships, which organisers say will be staged on African soil for the first time.

In the same race, Ethiopia finished second with a time of 3:38.31, while Nigeria’s B team placed third in 3:40.50.

While the women celebrated qualification, Nigeria’s men’s 4×400 metres relay team narrowly missed the cut. The team clocked 3:04.59, falling just under two seconds short of the 3:03 qualifying benchmark.

READ ALSO: NSC DG Begins Secondary School Tour To Appreciate Young Talents

Team Nigeria athlete Nathaniel Samson, a specialist in the 400 metres, said the team remains confident of achieving the standard in future races.

According to him, the athletes ran between 3:04 and 3:05 during the race and believe that more competitions will help them improve and eventually meet the required time.

Samson also highlighted the challenges Nigerian athletes face, particularly the need for stronger financial backing.

He said athletes invest significant time, energy and sacrifices in training and competitions, stressing that adequate support would help them deliver better results.

The Lagos State athlete, who has represented Nigeria at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, African Games and the African Championships, added that he is aiming to break the 45-second barrier in the 400 metres this season.

He further praised the MTN Champs programme, describing it as an initiative that can help uncover and develop young athletes across the country.

According to him, grassroots competitions such as MTN Champs could help Nigeria produce more elite performers like world record holder Tobi Amusan and other emerging stars.

Elsewhere at the event, Team MTN B claimed victory in the junior men’s 4×100 metres relay with a time of 43.32 seconds, finishing ahead of Team MTN A, which clocked 43.62 seconds, while Golden Edge placed third in 44.58 seconds.

Grace and Gold also dominated the girls’ relay race, winning in 48.89 seconds ahead of Secondary Commercial School, Ibiaku Itam and Government Secondary School, Idang.

In individual events, Toheebat Jimoh won the women’s 200 metres with a personal best of 24.51 seconds, while Olaoluwa Obashola secured the men’s 200 metres title in 21.74 seconds.