Nigeria’s weightlifting team is set to jet out to Moka, Mauritius on Monday as they gear up for the 2025 African Weightlifting Championship, taking place from April 20 to 28.

The squad, made up of six top-tier lifters and two seasoned coaches, will be looking to uphold Nigeria’s dominance on the continental stage.

Ahead of their departure, the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) reiterated its commitment to sports where Nigeria continues to shine, highlighting weightlifting as a key focus area for investment and development.

“Weightlifting is a sport where Nigeria has consistently excelled whether at the African level, the Commonwealth Games, the Olympic Games, or the Paralympics,” said NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade. “Our athletes have not only won medals but also set world records, and we’re confident they will make the nation proud once again.”

Team Nigeria heads to Mauritius following an outstanding outing at the 2024 edition in Egypt, where they bagged six gold and five silver medals a feat that reinforced the country’s stature as a continental heavyweight in the sport.

The upcoming championship also represents a crucial checkpoint in Nigeria’s build-up to major global tournaments under the International Weightlifting Federation calendar.