---
title: "Dakar 2026: Nigerian swimmers seek strong finish"
url: https://wahalanetwork.com/dakar-2026-nigerian-swimmers-seek-strong-finish/
type: post
date: 2026-11-06
modified: 2026-11-06
markdown_url: https://wahalanetwork.com/dakar-2026-nigerian-swimmers-seek-strong-finish.md
author: "Wahala Network Editorial Team"
---

# Dakar 2026: Nigerian swimmers seek strong finish

Nigeria’s four swimmers will be aiming to close their Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games campaign on a positive note as the swimming events enter their final day on Friday, with Kashope Obatoyinbo’s historic appearance in the men’s 50m freestyle final providing the highlight of the country’s outing.

Obatoyinbo became the first Nigerian swimmer to reach a final at the Games after overcoming a swim-off against Christon Joseph of the Bahamas to secure qualification.

The 16-year-old had tied with Joseph in the heats after both clocked 23.67 seconds, but edged the Bahamian by 0.01 seconds in the swim-off, recording 23.55 seconds to progress.

He eventually finished sixth in the final in 23.43 seconds, missing out on a medal but improving on his heat time.

His performance came after he had placed 29th overall among 73 swimmers in the men’s 100m freestyle, making his progression in the shorter distance a significant achievement for Nigeria.

Aidan Dumuje-Abili has also represented the country in the men’s events, finishing fifth in Heat 4 of the 100m backstroke in 1:00.79 and fifth in Heat 6 of the 50m butterfly in 26.05 seconds.

In the women’s category, Omolola Tobiloba Akinsanmi placed fifth in her heat of the 100m freestyle in 1:03.33 before finishing seventh in the 50m butterfly in 30.47 seconds.

Kristabel Chisa Oldeide finished sixth in the women’s 50m freestyle in 27.38 seconds, before placing second behind the Maldives’ Amna Thazkiyah Mirsaad in Thursday’s 50m backstroke heat.

Despite the individual efforts, Nigeria are yet to claim a swimming medal at the competition, which began on November 1.

The final day of pool events on Friday will offer the Nigerian swimmers another opportunity to improve their performances as the country’s 19-member contingent continues its campaign across six sports.