Nigerian 400m hurdler, Ezekiel Nathaniel has officially graduated from Baylor University, marking the end of a historic collegiate career both academically and athletically.
The 22-year-old, who recently made headlines for breaking the Nigerian record multiple times during the 2025 athletics season, took to social media on Sunday to share photos from his convocation ceremony.
Captioning his post, “4 years well spent,” Nathaniel reflected on his journey at Baylor, defined by discipline, determination, and excellence on the track.
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Ezekiel Nathaniel Celebrated by fans and fellow athletes
The post quickly drew an outpouring of congratulatory messages from fans, teammates, and notable figures across the athletics community.
World record holder Tobi Amusan led the tributes, commenting:
“Last slide Issa must, congratulations agba runner,” Amusan said.
Fellow Nigerian athletes joined in the celebration;
- Chidi Okezie wrote, “Congratulations bro,”
- African shot put record holder Chukwuebuka Enekwechi added, “Congrats, my boy.”
- Discus thrower Obiageri Amaechi also chimed in simply, “Congratulations!”
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), coaches Edidiog Udo and Badejo Emmanuel, and American sprinter Trayvon Bromell, Tokyo 2025 gold medallist, also extended goodwill messages to Nathaniel.
Read also: How Ezekiel Nathaniel Missed World Championships Medal by 0.05s
A legacy of Excellence at Baylor for Nathaniel Ezekiel
During his four-year tenure, Nathaniel became one of Baylor’s most decorated track athletes. His 2025 season was particularly exceptional;
- he was named the NCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Track Athlete of the Year, and
- he was also shortlisted for the prestigious Bowerman Award, the highest individual honour in U.S. collegiate athletics, becoming the first Baylor athlete ever to achieve this.
Nathaniel’s dominance in the 400m hurdles was unmatched. He won the NCAA title in Eugene, Oregon, and recorded four of the ten fastest times in NCAA history, a feat no other athlete has achieved.
He also narrowly missed the indoor 400m title, finishing second by just one-hundredth of a second with a time of 45.44 seconds.
His 44.74s run at the Big 12 Indoor Championships became the seventh-fastest indoor 400m time in NCAA history and the fifth-fastest overall across indoor and outdoor events that season.
Nathaniel ended the 2025 collegiate campaign with an 8–1 record in event finals and remained unbeaten in the 400m hurdles.
Read also: Ezekiel Nathaniel Becomes First Nigerian in 400m Hurdles World Finals Since 1987
Turning professional and breaking barriers
Following his graduation, Nathaniel signed a professional contract with Swiss sportswear brand On, transitioning smoothly into the global athletics circuit.
He reached multiple Diamond League finals in his debut professional season and continued his record-breaking form, setting a new Nigerian national record in the men’s 400m hurdles for the sixth time at the World Championships in Tokyo, where he finished fourth overall.
The Delta State-born athlete has since cemented his place as one of Africa’s most promising track stars.
Read also: Ezekiel Nathaniel Breaks African 400m Indoor Record Again
Next stop: The Bowerman Awards
Nathaniel will next be honoured alongside other Bowerman Award finalists at the USTFCCCA Convention on December 18, 2025, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, where the winner of the 2025 Bowerman Award will be officially announced.
