Nigerian sprint sensation Samuel Ogazi turns professional after record-breaking NCAA career
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Nigerian sprint athlete Samuel Ogazi has announced his decision to turn professional, concluding his collegiate career at the University of Alabama. Ogazi, 20, is recognized as one of the greatest 400m runners in NCAA history and is the fourth-fastest man ever in the event. He chose to forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility after three seasons in the United States. His final collegiate season included winning the NCAA Outdoor Championship with a time of 43.38 seconds, breaking the NCAA record and placing him fourth on the all-time global list. Earlier, he secured the NCAA Indoor 400m title with an African indoor record of 44.57 seconds, making him the fourth-fastest indoor performer at the time. He also won the SEC indoor and outdoor 400m titles in 2026 and defended his NCAA outdoor crown from 2025, having also earned a silver medal in 2024. Throughout his collegiate career, Ogazi progressively lowered the Nigerian 400m record from 44.02 seconds to 43.38 seconds. He also set multiple University of Alabama records and departs as the fastest 400m runner in NCAA history. Athletics Station, a Nigerian track and field stakeholder, described this decision as a defining moment for Ogazi and the sport in Nigeria, expressing confidence that he will become a global force and medal contender with professional guidance. They urged the athletics community, sponsors, and fans to support him in this new chapter.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Church on the Street NG has introduced the 2026 Civic Africa Fellowship, a program designed to equip young Africans with leadership and global citizenship skills. The organization stated that the fellowship aims to empower young people to become active citizens, policy influencers, and solution providers within their communities. This initiative seeks to reposition young Africans from being beneficiaries to drivers of social transformation, particularly as Africa has the world's youngest population. The fellowship will gather young leaders passionate about civic engagement, community development, social innovation, and public service. Itofa Ivarah, Founder of Church on the Street NG, emphasized that Africa's future depends on the quality of its leaders. The program will include mentorship, leadership workshops, collaborative projects, and a residency to enhance leadership capacity and civic engagement. The organization also called for collaboration from development partners, educators, policymakers, civil society organizations, and youth-focused institutions to strengthen youth leadership and civic participation across Africa. The launch of the Civic Africa Fellowship is a step in Church on the Street NG's mission to empower communities and foster social transformation.
Must ReadOyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has assured residents that the safe rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area is his administration's top priority. Security agencies are conducting coordinated operations, with the state government providing support. To enhance security and aid rescue efforts, a temporary 16-hour curfew has been approved for 10 Local Government Areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park. The government is also preparing for the safe resumption of schools, balancing education with the safety of students and teachers. Governor Makinde also announced that the delivery of the state's surveillance aircraft is in its final phase, with additional technical procedures delaying its expected June delivery. These procedures ensure all operational, regulatory, and safety requirements are met before handover. The aircraft is expected to significantly strengthen the state's capacity for aerial surveillance, rapid emergency response, and broader security operations, while also supporting other critical government functions. Makinde reiterated his administration's commitment to public safety, education, infrastructure, and strategic investments.
Must ReadA report by SBM Intel Violence Tracker reveals that Nigerian security agencies lost 282 rifles to various armed groups in 94 separate incidents between 2021 and mid-2026. The Nigeria Police Force accounted for the majority of these losses, with 201 rifles stolen, representing 71.3 percent of the total. The military lost 45 rifles, while other security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Customs Service, and vigilantes also reported losses. "Unknown gunmen" were identified as the primary perpetrators, responsible for 168 stolen rifles, followed by bandits with 58 rifles, and the Islamic State West Africa Province with 41. Geographically, Delta State recorded the highest number of stolen rifles with 67, followed by Abia with 51. Despite these thefts, security agencies recovered 1,442 rifles during the same period, indicating that the issue of illegal weapons in Nigeria extends beyond those stolen from security personnel, and the pace of theft accelerated in 2026.