Nigeria secured its first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in the men’s 400m hurdles at the 2026 Games in Glasgow, marking a historic milestone and adding to Team Nigeria’s growing medal haul.
Ezekiel Nathaniel made history as the first Nigerian to win gold in the men’s 400m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games, clocking 48.47 seconds to claim the title in Glasgow. The victory marked a remarkable turnaround for the Nigerian hurdler, who finished sixth in the event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Nathaniel’s victory lifted Nigeria’s medal tally with a historic gold, as England’s Jake Minshull claimed silver in 48.99 seconds, while Jamaica’s Assinie Wilson took bronze after clocking 49.22 seconds. Recall that Tobi Amusan and Kayinsola Ajayi both ended with bronze medals in their respective events.
Nathaniel attended Baylor University in Texas, where he quickly established himself as one of the programme’s standout athletes. In May 2022, during his freshman year, he won the Big 12 Conference men’s 400m hurdles title with a personal best time of 48.42 seconds, breaking the Nigerian record set by Henry Amike in 1987.
Nathaniel continued his impressive rise in 2025, setting a new Nigerian national record in the 400m hurdles on his way to a fourth-place finish at the World Championships. He also established a new African indoor record in the 400m, further cementing his status as one of the continent’s leading quarter-milers.
Following his historic Commonwealth Games triumph, Nathaniel has emerged as one of the leading contenders for future global titles. The Nigerian hurdler is now within touching distance of breaking the long-standing African record of 47.10 seconds, set by Samuel Matete more than three decades ago, after recording a personal best of 47.11 seconds.
