● Decline of Nigerian Sports and Government Neglect.

Sports, which could have easily been a cohesive and unifying instrument for Nigerians, have continually witnessed a spiral decline, leaving Nigerians unhappy, upset, and frustrated. 

This government, in particular, has not paid attention to the administration of sports, hence seasoned administrators who have much to offer never get the opportunity to bring in their expertise.

● Impact of Mismanagement on Sports Supporters and Athletes

As a result, followers and supporters of various games are consistently let down by the abysmal results, which can be traced to the mismanagement in our sports industry. 

A prime example is the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, where our athletes are neither valued nor treated with dignity. 

This has led to athletes switching allegiance to other countries where they are treated honorably and, in turn, deliver medals to make their new countries proud.

● Nigeria’s Poor Performance at the 2024 Olympics

At the just-concluded Olympics, Nigerians counted about eight countries that benefitted from athletes of Nigerian descent as they won medals for the countries they now represent. 

Unfortunately, Nigeria won ZERO medals from the same 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Our appalling performance can be traced to the gross incompetence of the Sports Ministry, headed by Senator John Enoh, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, headed by Tonobok Okowa and the Nigeria Olympics Committee, headed by 75-year-old Engr. Habu Gumel. 

I will highlight a few pertinent issues that expose these three bodies as inept, to say the least:

1. Mistreated Athletes and the Embarrassing Travel Conditions

Our athletes traveled on a night bus from Benin City to Cotonou en route to their trip to Douala for the Senior African Championship Games in Cameroon, which took place between June 21-26, 2024. 

Nigeria agreed to honor this event; hence it is totally unacceptable for athletes to be subjected to such improper and shameful treatment just to represent their country. 

These are other people's children and our ambassadors.

 

2. The Unexplained Exclusion of Favour Ofili from the 2024 Olympics 100m Race.

Favour Ofili's name was 'magically' removed from the 100m race she had spent four years preparing for, without any form of consultation with her. 

Favour is Nigeria's 100m National Champion and earned an automatic ticket to participate in this event by meeting the Olympic Entry Standard. It took Favour Ofili crying out 18 days after the entry list of participating athletes was released by World Athletics before the Sports Minister issued a statement that said a lot but ended up not saying anything. Up until now, no one has been held accountable, nor did Nigerians receive any valid explanation for this 'magical' omission. 

Let it be known that Ofili was threatened with exclusion from #TeamNigeria’s contingent to the Paris Olympics because she did not show up for her 100m semi-final at the Commonwealth of African Championships, so the “strategic” omission dates back to the Senior African Championship Games in Douala, Cameroon. 

As Nigerians, we demand answers and we want to see people being held accountable - this will clearly restore the hopes of Nigeria that we have a system that can work.

3. An Athlete's Unjust Removal from the Relay Team

One of the home-based athletes was unjustifiably removed from the Olympics 4x100m relay race because she spoke out about the payment disparity between home and foreign-based athletes. 

After all, their bruised egos matter more than the feelings of 230 million Nigerians. “Athletes are consistently taken out for voicing out!

4. Ese Ukpeseraye’s Struggle for Equipment at the Olympics.

Ese Ukpeseraye borrowed a bicycle from the German team to compete at the Olympics Keirin& Sprint, as there was no bicycle provision from Nigeria for her to compete in this event. According to Ese: "Due to the short notice of me competing in the Keirin & Sprint, #TeamNigeria had no bicycle to race with on the tracks. In the spirit of sportsmanship, the German team @bunddeutscherradfahr came to my rescue by offering me a bicycle. Thank you🙌."

5. Annette Echikunwoke’s Disqualification and Subsequent Success for the U.S.

Annette Echikunwoke was set to represent Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but was disqualified, along with nine other athletes, including Favour Ofili, after the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) failed to carry out the mandatory tests required for these athletes. She then switched allegiance to the United States to compete in Paris 2024. Annette won the silver medal for America in the women's hammer throw. Sadly, four years down the line, no one has been held accountable for the inability of these athletes to compete for the spots they worked diligently to earn at the 2020 Olympics.

6. Lack of a Safe Channel for Athletes to Speak Up.

Where is the channel for athletes to anonymously speak up and demand better? 

What we consistently see is that they are victimized for speaking out,like the athlete who was punished by removal from the 4x100m relay race because they dared to speak up.

7. The Female Basketball Team (D'Tigress) were turned back from attending the Paris Olympics opening ceremony by the organizers because of Nigeria's administrative deficiency and lack of proper planning. 

● Nigerians demand an Overhaul of Sports Leadership

As it stands, Nigerians want a complete overhaul of the hierarchy, starting with the Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, headed by Tonobok Okowa, and the Nigeria Olympics Committee, headed by Engr. Habu Gumel. Worthy of note is the 75-year-old NOC President, who has been ‘on the throne’ for 23 years without any improvement in our Olympic outings.

● A call for a Probe into the Administration of Sports Federations

Nigerians are weary of the consistent shoddy preparations and unproductive international outings and want seasoned sports administrators with proven track records to head these bodies and start rebuilding our sports to match the “Giant of Africa” we claim to be. The three listed above have proven not to have the capacity to deliver results. 

Also, Nigerians want a complete probe of their stewardship, especially the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, which keeps claiming they are unfunded, yet remain unaccountable with the funds at their disposal.

● Urgency of replacing Current Leadership to Prepare for Future Events

The best time to prepare for any international event, especially the Olympics, was eight years ago, and the next best time is now. 

Removing the Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, headed by Tonobok Okowa, and the Nigeria Olympics Committee, headed by Engr. Habu Gumel, and replacing them with tested administrators, will ensure there is adequate house cleaning and a reset button to start preparing for the next 4, 8, and 12 years.

● Questions on the Management of Funds and Talent Development

We must probe the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and all other Sports Federations. 

~ How have they managed funds allocated to them in the last four years? 

~ What have they done to discover and develop talents in the last four years?

● The Need for Independent and Creative Sports Administration

What blueprint is in place by the Federation heads to ensure they function effectively and efficiently without depending on government funding? 

Let's have sports administrators with proven track records and a willingness to drive their federations without reliance on government funding. Every Federation must have creative means of running their affairs from top to bottom, and only sports administrators willing to develop a blueprint of independence and willingness to embrace grassroots development for talent discovery should occupy the top hierarchy of each Sports Federation.