Ese Brume never set out to fill anyone’s shoes. When Blessing Okagbare chose sprints over the long jump at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the 18-year-old from Ughelli, Delta State, stepped into the sandpit and won gold. It was, in retrospect, a symbolic handover — from one era of Nigerian women’s long jump to another, from one Delta State giant to the next. Since that day, Brume has done nothing but build, year by year, into something the continent can be genuinely proud of. She holds the African record at 7.17 metres. She is a four-time African champion, a double Commonwealth champion, a World Championship silver medallist, and an Olympic bronze medallist. She is, simply, the best female long jumper Africa has ever produced.
Ese Brume Biography
| Full Name | Ese Brume |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 20, 1996 |
| Age | 30 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
| Occupation | Professional Track and Field Athlete |
| African Record | 7.17 metres (Long Jump) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1–2 million (not publicly confirmed) |
Early Life and Background
Ese Brume was born on January 20, 1996, in Ughelli, Delta State, in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region — the same state that produced Blessing Okagbare. She grew up in a region where sports infrastructure, while not luxurious, was being actively developed through government investment in athletics during the 2000s and 2010s. Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s investment in track and field infrastructure in the region created conditions that shaped two of Africa’s greatest female athletes. Brume herself dedicated her 2014 Commonwealth gold to that governor, crediting his support as instrumental in her rise.
She attended primary and secondary school in Delta State and was a standout across multiple athletic disciplines — she competed in long jump, triple jump, and sprint events as a young athlete. She later attended Delta State University before earning an athletic scholarship to study abroad, giving her access to higher-level training infrastructure.
Career Journey
Brume first emerged at the national level at the 2012 Nigerian Athletics Championships, placing sixth in the long jump while clearing over six metres — impressive for her age. The following year, she set a personal best and finished second nationally, behind only Blessing Okagbare. At the 2013 African Junior Championships, she won gold in the long jump, silver in the triple jump, and contributed to Nigeria’s relay gold — an outstanding multi-discipline performance for a teenager.
Her major breakthrough came at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where, as an 18-year-old stepping in for the sprint-focused Okagbare, she cleared 6.56 metres to win gold. It was a stunning debut on the global stage. She won the African title later that same year, beginning a run of continental dominance that has not stopped since.
From 2018 onwards, Brume entered a sustained period of world-class performance. She set an African record of 7.05 metres in 2019 and then broke it again in 2021 with 7.17 metres in Chula Vista, California — a leap that broke Chioma Ajunwa’s African record of 7.12 metres set at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and confirmed Brume as the greatest African female long jumper in history. She won bronze at the 2019 World Championships, bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, silver at the 2022 World Indoors, and silver at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene — all while winning her second Commonwealth title and her third and fourth African titles. As of 2026, she has been confirmed for the Kip Keino Classic season opener and continues to compete at the highest level.
Personal Life
Brume keeps her personal life largely private. She is close friends with Tobi Amusan — the pair shared a celebrated embrace at the 2022 World Championships when both won medals on the same night, draped in Nigerian flags. She has spoken about wanting to be a role model for young Nigerian girls. “I want to make young girls believe that all things are possible,” she told Olympics.com. She does not limit herself by where she comes from — Ughelli to world class is her proof of concept.
Net Worth
Brume’s net worth is estimated at $1–2 million, accumulated from prize money at international competitions, Diamond League appearances, and sponsorship deals. The figure has not been publicly confirmed.
What Ese Brume Is Known For
She is Africa’s greatest female long jumper, the holder of the African record at 7.17 metres, and the most decorated Nigerian woman in the long jump event’s international history. Her consistency across a decade of major championships — never missing a podium despite often facing Germany’s Malaika Mihambo at her best — defines an exceptional career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ese Brume’s African record?
She set the African record at 7.17 metres in Chula Vista, California in 2021, breaking Chioma Ajunwa’s previous record.
Where is Ese Brume from?
She was born in Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria.
Did Ese Brume win a medal at the Olympics?
Yes. She won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with a jump of 6.97 metres.
How many Commonwealth Games titles has Ese Brume won?
Two — in 2014 (Glasgow) and 2022 (Birmingham).
Who is Ese Brume’s best friend in athletics?
She is close friends with Tobi Amusan, Nigeria’s 100m hurdles world record holder.
