Former Commonwealth Games silver medallist Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju has congratulated Ella Onojuvwevwo after the youngster ended Nigeria’s 32-year wait for a medal in the women’s 400 metres at the Commonwealth Games.
Onojuvwevwo won bronze at the Glasgow 2026 Games, clocking 51.00 seconds to finish behind Jamaica’s Dejanea Oakley and Barbados’ Sada Williams.
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The medal was Nigeria’s first in the event since Yusuf-Olukoju claimed silver at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada.
Celebrating the achievement in a heartfelt Facebook post, Yusuf-Olukoju praised the 21-year-old for restoring Nigeria’s presence in one of its traditional athletics events.
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“Love you Onojuvwevwo Ella!!! ❤️🇳🇬 You officially broke the curse and brought home a 🥉, making Nigeria’s women’s 400m relevant again! 💪🏾 Thank you for reminding the world that Nigerians still know how to sprint one full lap without asking for directions. 😅🏃🏾♀️
“The future is incredibly bright. Keep making us proud—we’re all cheering you on! 🇳🇬🔥 #LA28.”
Ending a long wait
Onojuvwevwo’s bronze carries historical significance for Nigerian athletics.
Before her podium finish in Glasgow, Nigeria had gone more than three decades without a Commonwealth Games medal in the women’s one-lap event.
The country’s last medallist was Yusuf-Olukoju, who won silver in Victoria in 1994, four years after she captured Nigeria’s first and only Commonwealth Games gold in the event at Auckland 1990.
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By claiming bronze in Glasgow, Onojuvwevwo became only the third Nigerian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the women’s 400m, joining Yusuf-Olukoju and Charity Opara, who earned bronze during Nigeria’s memorable one-three finish at the 1990 Games.
A hopeful sign for Los Angeles
Beyond ending the Commonwealth medal drought, Onojuvwevwo’s achievement has also sparked optimism ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Olympics will mark 32 years since Falilat Ogunkoya won Nigeria’s last Olympic medal in the women’s 400 metres at the Atlanta 1996 Games.
With a new generation led by Onojuvwevwo emerging on the international stage, many Nigerian athletics followers hope history could repeat itself.
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