Nigeria celebrated a historic performance at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, finishing eighth on the overall medals table with a total of 30 medals, the National Sports Commission announced.
The team secured 11 gold, 12 silver, and seven bronze medals, making it Africa’s second-best performer behind Egypt, while Turkey topped the standings with 155 medals. The result surpasses Nigeria’s previous best at the Games in Baku in 2017, where the country won only four medals.
Competing across seven sports—taekwondo, boxing, athletics, wrestling, weightlifting, para-powerlifting, and para-athletics—Nigeria won medals in every discipline. Weightlifting led the tally with six gold, four silver, and three bronze, while athletics contributed two gold, four silver, and three bronze medals. Wrestling added two gold and two silver medals, para-powerlifting produced one gold, boxing and para-athletics earned one silver each, and taekwondo secured a bronze.
The National Sports Commission credited the outstanding showing to its strategic selection of athletes with podium potential. Director General Bukola Olopade said the performance validates the Commission’s renewed approach to athlete development.
“It is not a coincidence that Nigeria won medals in every sport we participated in at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games,” Olopade said. “This achievement reflects the new direction we have taken in sports development. By focusing on podium prospects, we have set a new benchmark for the country’s sporting programme.”
Olopade added that the results will guide preparations for upcoming competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. “From boxing to taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling, track and field, and powerlifting, Nigeria has proven its potential on the international stage,” he said.
The 2025 Games performance marks a defining moment for Nigerian sports and underscores the country’s rising status in global multi-sport events.
