Team Nigeria Dominates Inaugural West Africa Para Games
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
THE first-ever West Africa Para Games concluded in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with Team Nigeria asserting clear dominance over six days of competition. More than 400 para-athletes from across the subregion competed, marking a historic milestone for para sports in West Africa.
Nigeria topped the medal table with 59 gold, 39 silver, and 31 bronze medals. Benin Republic followed with 4 gold, 4 silver, and 14 bronze, while Ghana secured third place with 3 gold, 15 silver, and 21 bronze medals. Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire completed the top five, claiming modest medal hauls.
The Games ended with Nigeria’s amputee football team defeating Liberia 1–0 to claim the final gold medal. National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, hailed the athletes as “true heroes of African sports” and praised Ogun State for supporting the event in line with the RHINSE initiative.
NSC Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade highlighted the Games’ role in raising awareness for para sports, while Paralympic Committee of Nigeria President Sunday Odebode thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Organising Committee for their support in advancing opportunities for persons living with disabilities.
The successful debut of the Games is being seen as a major boost for para sports development and visibility across the region.
