President Tinubu to receive King’s Baton Relay as Nigeria Gears Up for 2026 Commonwealth Games

President Tinubu to receive King’s Baton Relay as Nigeria Gears Up for 2026 Commonwealth GamesNigeria is set to host a major highlight in the countdown to the 2026 Commonwealth Games as the prestigious King’s Baton Relay arrives in the country, with a special event scheduled for July 1–2 in Abuja. In what promises to be a symbolic moment, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will officially receive the Commonwealth Sport King’s Baton from a delegation representing Buckingham Palace, marking Nigeria’s formal participation in the global relay tradition.The King’s Baton Relay is one of the oldest and most cherished traditions of the Commonwealth Games, promoting unity, peace, and shared values across the 56-member nations of the Commonwealth. This year’s relay takes on an even greater significance, as it aligns with the global campaign titled the “Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign.” A joint initiative between the Commonwealth Sport Movement, the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), and Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC), the campaign seeks to drive awareness and action on the growing crisis of plastic pollution.According to the organisers, the campaign aims to stop one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waters, using the power of sport and youth-driven social action to inspire behavioral change, encourage innovation, and promote ocean conservation. The Director of Press at the NSC, Dr (Mrs) Kehinde Ajayi, confirmed the event and emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to environmental sustainability and global sports diplomacy. “This is more than a ceremonial visit. It is a rallying call for unity and action as Nigeria joins the rest of the Commonwealth in championing clean oceans through sports,” she stated.The two-day event will feature youth engagement activities, environmental awareness campaigns, and cultural displays, as Nigeria joins other Commonwealth nations in celebrating shared values and preparing for the 2026 Games.