Swimming · Swimmers · No. 1
Abdul Jabar Adama
The teenager who won Nigeria’s first world junior swimming medal and rewrote the record book.
- 2025World junior silver
- 49.98100 m free NR
- 5thGlasgow 2026 final
- 2024African Games bronze
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A teenage record breaker
Abdul Jabar Adama (also written Abduljabar Adama) was born in 2008 and trains at Mount Kelly School in Devon, England, under coach Emma Collins-Barnes. He swims for Nigeria, and at 15 he announced himself by winning three gold medals at the 3rd Africa Junior Championships in Cairo in May 2024, where he was named best male athlete.
Nigeria’s first world junior medal
On 23 August 2025, at the World Aquatics Junior Championships in Otopeni, Romania, the 17-year-old won silver in the 50 m butterfly in 23.64 seconds. It was the first medal ever won by a Nigerian at the World Junior Championships.
| Event | Nigerian record | Set |
|---|---|---|
| 50 m freestyle | 22.21 | 21 August 2025, Otopeni, Romania |
| 100 m freestyle | 49.98 | 16 April 2026, London |
| 50 m butterfly | 23.48 | 22 August 2025, Otopeni, Romania |
| 100 m butterfly | 52.81 | April 2026 |
African and Commonwealth Games
Adama was part of Nigeria’s 4×100 m freestyle relay, which won bronze at the African Games in Accra in March 2024. In July 2026 he reached the 50 m butterfly final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and finished fifth. His next goal is the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
More Nigerian swimming
Swimming in Nigeria
From river communities to Olympic pools.Read more
History of swimming in Nigeria
The 1938 gala, 1958 association and coach Watts.Read more
Olympics, Commonwealth and African Games
Every Nigerian Olympic swimmer and Games medal.Read more
Nigerian swimmers
Adama, Yeiyah, Iyadi, Nmor and the Hall of Fame.Read more
Quick answers
Abdul Jabar Adama: quick answers
Who is Abdul Jabar Adama?
A Nigerian swimmer born in 2008 who won Nigeria’s first medal at the World Aquatics Junior Championships (50 m butterfly silver, 2025) and holds several national records.
What is Abdul Jabar Adama’s 100 m freestyle record?
49.98 seconds, set in London on 16 April 2026, the first sub-50 swim by a Nigerian.
How did Adama do at the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
He reached the 50 m butterfly final in Glasgow and finished fifth.