Nigeria delivered a commanding performance in shooting at the inaugural West African Para Games in Abeokuta, sweeping every gold medal on offer and cementing its status as the region’s leading Para shooting nation. The six-day multi-sport event, hosted from November 28 to December 3, 2025, drew more than 700 athletes from across West Africa and placed Para sport firmly on the regional agenda.
Nigeria’s dominance was comprehensive across pistol and rifle categories. Aliyu Abubakar claimed gold in the men’s SH1 pistol, while Lawal Hallmat triumphed in the women’s SH1 pistol division. The mixed SH1 pistol event saw Adedimeji Adeniji and Bala Mary combine to win top honours. Rifle competitions mirrored that success: Benjamin Isaac took gold in the men’s SH1 rifle, Ileyemi Olayinka topped the women’s division, and Rebecca Ayuba alongside Abel Enoch secured the mixed SH1 rifle title.
The clean sweep — a total of six golds in shooting — not only portrayed technical mastery but also highlighted the effectiveness of Nigeria’s talent development, coaching and investment in Para shooting disciplines. Athletes displayed remarkable precision under pressure, showcasing both individual resilience and the fruits of structured training programmes.
Other nations recorded strong showings but could not match Nigeria’s breadth. Ghana picked up a gold through Emmanuel Amobire in the SH2 open category — an event Nigeria did not contest — and finished with multiple medals. Cape Verde and Cameroon also earned podium finishes, while Senegal and Togo were present but fell short of the shooting medals table.
Beyond the medal count, the West African Para Games represented a deeper institutional milestone: it provided a regional platform for athletes with disabilities to compete at a high standard, promoted inclusivity and fostered cross-border cooperation in Para sport development. For Nigeria, the success will likely galvanise further investment and a renewed focus on preparing athletes for continental and global events.
Organisers hailed the competition as a triumph and a benchmark for future editions, noting the organisational capacity displayed by Abeokuta and the host committees. For Nigerian athletes and officials, the sweep in shooting offers not only immediate celebration but also a blueprint for sustained excellence in Paralympic disciplines.
As the West African Para Games close, Nigeria’s shooters return home as continental standard-bearers, their performances signalling that, with proper support, West African Para sport can ascend to higher competitive platforms and deeper public recognition.