The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled the operational timeline for Team Nigeria’s participation in the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to hold in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026.

The Games will mark the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted on African soil, bringing together young athletes from across the world. Team Nigeria is expected to compete in six sports: athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball.

According to the schedule, the Nigerian contingent will begin a 21-day local camping programme from October 9 to 29, ahead of the team’s departure from Abuja on October 29.

The camping programme will include medical screening, anti-doping education, technical and tactical preparations, kit fitting, travel documentation and the final confirmation of participation requirements.

Team Nigeria is expected to arrive in Dakar on October 30 for accreditation, accommodation arrangements, equipment checks, technical meetings and familiarisation with competition venues across the three host zones of Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

The opening ceremony will take place on October 31 at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, with competitions in table tennis and beach volleyball scheduled to begin on the same day.

Nigeria’s competition schedule will continue with swimming starting on November 1. Boxing will run from November 7 to 12, while athletics and road cycling are scheduled for selected dates between November 8 and 10.

The designated venues for the various sports include Saly Beach West for beach volleyball, Dakar Expo Centre for table tennis and boxing, the Tour de l’Œuf complex for swimming, Corniche Ouest for road cycling and the Iba Mar Diop Complex for athletics.

The Games will conclude with the closing ceremony at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium on November 13. The Nigerian contingent is expected to return to Abuja after completing departure formalities and equipment reconciliation.

The operational timeline is designed to coordinate Team Nigeria’s preparations, travel arrangements, accreditation and competition schedules while ensuring that athletes and officials are adequately prepared for the international event.

Nigeria’s participation in Dakar 2026 is part of the country’s broader efforts to strengthen grassroots sports development, nurture emerging talents and create pathways for young athletes to progress to elite international competition.