The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled Team Nigeria‘s operational timeline for the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, outlining the contingent’s camping programme, travel arrangements and competition schedule.
The timeline was announced in a press release issued on 22 October and signed by Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media to the NSC Director General, Bukola Olopade.
The fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games is scheduled to take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, marking the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted on African soil.
Nigeria will compete in six sports: athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball.
Team Nigeria preparations and travel arrangements
According to the NSC, Team Nigeria‘s 21-day local camping programme is scheduled to run from 9 to 29 October.
The preparations include medical screening, anti-doping education, technical and tactical training, kit fitting and the completion of travel documentation.
The commission will also coordinate the final confirmation of participation requirements before the Nigerian contingent departs Abuja on 29 October.
The team is expected to arrive in Dakar on 30 October for accreditation, accommodation arrangements, equipment checks and technical meetings.
Athletes and officials will also familiarise themselves with competition venues across the three host zones of Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly ahead of their respective events.
Dakar 2026 competition schedule and venues
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 31 October at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, with table tennis and beach volleyball competitions also set to begin that day.
Swimming will commence on 1 November, while boxing is scheduled to run from 7 to 12 November. Athletics and road cycling will take place on selected dates between 8 and 10 November.
The events will be staged at venues across Senegal. Beach volleyball will take place at Saly Beach West, while table tennis and boxing are scheduled for the Dakar Expo Centre.
Swimming will be held at the Tour de l’Œuf complex, road cycling along Corniche Ouest and athletics at the Iba Mar Diop Complex.
The Games will conclude with the closing ceremony at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium on 13 November.
Team Nigeria is expected to return to Abuja after completing the necessary departure formalities and equipment reconciliation.
NSC focuses on grassroots sports development
The NSC said Nigeria’s participation in Dakar 2026 aligns with its broader efforts to strengthen grassroots sports development, nurture emerging talents and create pathways for young athletes to progress to elite international competition.
The operational timeline is intended to coordinate preparations, travel, accreditation and competition schedules ahead of the Games.
With Nigeria set to compete in six sports, the contingent will aim to make the most of the international experience as the country prepares to participate in an Olympic event being hosted on African soil for the first time.