Jessica Oji

Jessica Oji (born 23 June 2007) is a Nigerian-American women's shot put and discus throw athlete. In February 2026, World Athletics confirmed that she had switched her allegiance to Nigeria.

Oji first broke the Ivy League record in December 2025 with a mark of 17.72 m (58 ft 1.75 in), before going on to break it four more times at the Penn Elite Meet in a mark of 18.45m (60' 6.5"). She currently has a personal best of 18.50 m, which she used to clinch the conference title.

Early life and education Oji was born in Accra, Ghana and raised in the United States. She is currently a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania.

Career She made her debut for Nigeria in 2026 and broke the long-standing African record of 18.43 m set by former Nigerian thrower Vivian Chukwuemeka in 2003. The record placed her second in the NCAA rankings and also above Mine de Klerk African mark of 18.48m set just a day earlier. In the current world rankings, Oji is ranked No. 30 in women's shot put. Oji also holds the national under-20 record in the discus throw, setting a mark of 55.12 m in May 2026.

In 2025, Oji was crowned the USA U-20 Champion and placed sixth in the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships in the shot put. At the 2026 World U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, she claimed gold, ending Nigeria's 24-year wait for a medal in a women's field event.