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Glasgow 2026: History Made! Abduljabar Adama Finishes Fifth in Commonwealth Games Final, Announces Nigeria’s Arrival in World Swimming
He may have missed out on a medal, but Abduljabar Adama achieved something that could prove even more significant for Nigerian swimming.
The 18-year-old sensation became the first Nigerian swimmer to compete in a Commonwealth Games men’s 50m Butterfly final, finishing an impressive fifth in a world-class field at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Read Also: “History Is Being Made in Glasgow, and Nigeria Must Build on This Momentum” — SSA Adeboye
Adama stopped the clock at 23.42 seconds, holding his own against some of the biggest names in international swimming.
Australia dominated the race as Kyle Chalmers and Ben Armbruster shared the gold medal after both clocked a Games Record-equalling 22.73 seconds, while fellow Australian Cameron McEvoy claimed bronze in 22.92 seconds. Canada’s Joshua Liendo finished fourth ahead of the Nigerian, with England’s Jacob Peters, South Africa’s Calvyn Justus and Scotland’s Dean Fearn completing the finalists.
For Nigeria, however, the biggest victory was Adama’s presence in the final itself.
No Nigerian man had ever reached the final of the Commonwealth Games 50m Butterfly before now, making the teenager’s achievement another landmark moment in the country’s sporting history.
It is the latest chapter in the rapid rise of one of Africa’s brightest swimming talents.
Adama first grabbed global attention in 2025, when he became the first Nigerian swimmer ever to win a medal at a World Aquatics Championship, claiming silver in the Men’s 50m Butterfly at the World Aquatics Junior Championships in Otopeni, Romania. During that unforgettable championship, he broke the Nigerian record twice in one day, lowering the national mark in both the heats and semi-finals before securing his historic silver medal. His achievement sent shockwaves through Nigerian swimming and established him as one of the sport’s most exciting young prospects.
The youngster, who trains at the Mount Kelly Swimming Academy in the United Kingdom, has continued to improve with every major competition and is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s brightest hopes for future global championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where the 50m Butterfly will make its Olympic debut.
His run to the Glasgow final was equally impressive. Adama progressed confidently through the heats before producing another outstanding performance in the semi-finals to become the first Nigerian to book a place in the championship race.
Although he narrowly missed the podium, his fifth-place finish represents one of the finest performances ever by a Nigerian swimmer at the Commonwealth Games and reinforces the country’s growing reputation in a sport long dominated by traditional powerhouses such as Australia, Canada and England.
For Team Nigeria, Adama’s achievement is another reminder that Glasgow 2026 has become a Games of historic breakthroughs.
From Goodness Nwachukwu’s world record in para athletics, to Kayinsola Ajayi’s first Nigerian men’s 100m medal in 20 years, Temitope Adeshina’s historic high jump bronze, and the weightlifting heroes rewriting Commonwealth Games records, Nigeria has continued to produce performances that are changing perceptions on the international stage.
Abduljabar Adama may return home without a medal around his neck, but he leaves Glasgow with something equally valuable—a place in Nigerian sporting history.
At just 18 years old, his journey is only beginning. If his remarkable rise over the past two years is any indication, the best is yet to come for the young swimmer who has already dared to take Nigerian swimming where it has never been before.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has received the All Progressives Congress, APC, flag as its governorship candidate for Benue State ahead of the 2027 election during the Tinubu/Shettima rally in Jos over the weekend.
The presentation of the flag by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, represents a formal affirmation of Governor Alia's recognition and acceptance by the party as its standard-bearer in Benue State for the forthcoming governorship election, as well as an expression of the party's confidence and institutional backing for his second-term bid.
The presentation formed part of the rally's activities, during which APC governorship candidates from across the North-Central region received their respective party flags, reaffirming the party's commitment to its candidates as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The rally, held at the Zaria Road Stadium, attracted prominent national and regional political leaders, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, APC governors, members of the party's National Working Committee and other stakeholders.
President Tinubu, who led the national delegation to the rally, reiterated his administration's commitment to national development, particularly the restoration of peace and security in communities affected by violence.
He assured the people of Plateau State of the Federal Government's commitment to rebuilding communities affected by insurgency and facilitating the safe return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
The Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio also addressed the gathering, highlighting the administration's development initiatives and calling for support for the APC in the forthcoming elections.
The rally attracted party faithful, supporters, and political stakeholders from across the North-Central region, providing a platform for the party's leadership to reaffirm its commitment to the 2027 electoral process.
Edo State Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, has criticised the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, describing him as a “public nuisance” and questioning his capacity to build a nationwide political structure.
Afegbua made the remarks during an interview on Arise News while reacting to Sowore’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu following the booing of the President by some youths in Abuja on Friday, November 13, 2026.
Sowore had accused Tinubu of hypocrisy, questioning why the President was now advocating peaceful political campaigns after experiencing hostility during his visit to the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja.
The incident occurred shortly after Tinubu attended Juma’at prayers at the mosque, where some youths were heard chanting “Ba ma yi, ba ma so”, a Hausa expression meaning “We don't want you” or “We don't support you”, as his convoy departed.
In a reaction posted on his X account, Sowore questioned the President's silence over alleged attacks on opposition politicians and their supporters across the country.
However, Afegbua dismissed Sowore's comments, arguing that someone aspiring to lead the country should demonstrate maturity, responsibility and decorum in public engagements.
“I don't want to listen to all of Sowore's rants because I see him more as a public nuisance,” the commissioner said.
He added that presidential candidates must understand the responsibility associated with seeking to lead a country of more than 250 million people.
“Leadership is a serious responsibility, and you cannot go around making flippant, ridiculous and reckless statements in the name of presenting yourself as a presidential candidate,” Afegbua stated.
He maintained that political ambition should be accompanied by a reasonable level of discipline, insisting that candidates must conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the position they seek to occupy.
The Edo commissioner also questioned Sowore's political reach, describing him as someone who fills a gap in Nigeria's political aspirations rather than a candidate with the organisational capacity to compete effectively nationwide.
According to Afegbua, establishing a functional political structure across all 774 local government areas would be a major challenge for the AAC presidential candidate.
He, however, acknowledged that politicians like Sowore play a role in expressing public frustration and providing an avenue for citizens to communicate their opinions.
Afegbua also defended Tinubu's call for adequate security for presidential candidates, arguing that the President's statement after the Abuja incident was consistent with an earlier directive to security agencies.
He said Tinubu had, two or three weeks before the mosque incident, instructed the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies to ensure that all presidential candidates received adequate protection.
According to him, the President's latest remarks should therefore not be interpreted as a reaction prompted solely by the hostility he experienced in Abuja.
Afegbua further argued that Tinubu's political background gave him considerable experience in political struggles, noting that the President had faced difficult circumstances during his years in opposition.
He nevertheless stressed that occupying the presidency requires a broader sense of responsibility beyond party interests.
“President Tinubu is not just a member of the party. He's also the leader of the entire country,” he said, adding that the President has demonstrated that every Nigerian belongs, irrespective of political affiliation.
2027: Afegbua attacks Sowore over reaction to attack on Tinubu in Abuja mosque
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