19-year-old Jessica Oji Photo: ESPN Africa

Nineteen-year-old Jessica Oji has etched her name into Nigerian athletics history after becoming the first Nigerian woman in two decades to win a Commonwealth Games shot put medal.

Oji delivered a remarkable performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games to claim the silver medal in the women’s shot put event, ending Nigeria’s long wait for a podium finish in the discipline.

According to a post shared on X on Friday, ESPN Africa said, “19-year-old Jessica Oji makes history for Nigeria. The shot put sensation wins silver at the Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Nigerian woman to claim a Commonwealth shot put medal since 2006.”

Her achievement makes her the first Nigerian female shot put medallist at the Commonwealth Games since 2002, marking a breakthrough for the young athlete and the country’s athletics programme.

The 19-year-old’s impressive display adds to Team Nigeria’s strong showing in Glasgow, where Nigerian athletes have continued to secure medals across several sports, including athletics, weightlifting, para powerlifting, boxing and 3×3 basketball.

Oji’s success represents a new chapter for Nigerian field events and highlights the emergence of a talented generation of athletes capable of competing at the highest level.

With her Commonwealth Games silver medal, the young shot put sensation has placed herself among Nigeria’s rising sporting stars and provided renewed hope for the future of the country’s athletics.

Gilbert Ekugbe

Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.

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