5 Nigerian Athletes That Broke Records, Made History In 2024

2024 has been a groundbreaking year for Nigerian sports, with athletes excelling across diverse disciplines and redefining the nation’s athletic legacy. Here’s a look at some of the year’s most remarkable achievements.

Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman claimed the title of Africa’s Best Footballer at the 2024 CAF Awards in Morocco. Lookman’s leadership in guiding Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations final and his record-setting hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final—making him the first African to achieve the feat—cemented his status as an elite footballer. This season, he tallied 12 goals and five assists, inspiring countless football enthusiasts.

Elizabeth Oshoba

Elizabeth Oshoba became Nigeria’s first female boxing world champion, securing the IBO super-featherweight and WBC silver featherweight titles.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that from her humble beginnings in Tigbo-Ilu, Ogun State, to dominating bouts in Nigeria and the UK, Oshoba’s journey underscores resilience and determination, making her a role model for aspiring athletes.

William Troost-Ekong
William Troost-Ekong emerged as a standout at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, earning the Most Valuable Player award. With five goals, he became Nigeria’s highest-scoring defender in AFCON history. His leadership and decisive penalty-taking during the tournament demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the team’s success.

Cricket Queens
Nigeria’s Under-19 women’s cricket team made history by qualifying for the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup. The team’s unbeaten run in the qualifiers, guided by Captain Lucky Piety and coach Sarah Bakhita, reflects the rise of cricket in Nigeria.

D’Tigress
D’Tigress made Olympic history as the first African women’s basketball team to reach the quarter-finals. Under coach Rena Wakama, the team also secured their fourth AfroBasket title and climbed to eighth in the FIBA world rankings.

Folashade Oluwafemiayo
Folashade Oluwafemiayo set a world record at the Paris Paralympics, lifting 167kg to defend her title. Her victory was part of Nigeria’s strong showing in para-powerlifting, with the team securing four medals in Paris.

Eniola Bolaji

Eighteen-year-old Eniola Bolaji became Africa’s first Paralympic medalist in Para-Badminton, winning bronze in the Women’s Singles SL3 category. Her achievement highlights the growing prominence of para-sports in Nigeria.

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