By Ademola Adekusibe
September 13, 2025
A storm of anger is sweeping through Nigeria as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has been exposed for one of the most shameful betrayals in the nation’s sporting history.
Instead of registering at least 11 qualified athletes for the Tokyo Games, AFN officials allegedly filled those slots with themselves and their cronies, all in a desperate bid to pocket estacode, foreign travel allowances meant for athletes.
The fallout has been catastrophic. Nigeria, once a force in sprints and relays, will not compete in any relay event in Tokyo. The country is also crippled in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and high jump categories.
To the disbelief of millions, only 15 Nigerian athletes were cleared to travel, while AFN swelled the official delegation beyond the number of competitors. This shocking imbalance has left the nation humiliated on the global stage.
“This is treason against Nigerian sports,” one furious athletics analyst declared. “How can more officials than athletes represent Nigeria? Our champions were left behind, while those chasing dollars hijacked their slots. It is a disgrace that must never be forgotten.”
Fans, former athletes, and sports stakeholders are calling for heads to roll. Many are demanding not just reform, but criminal investigations into how national pride was traded for personal profit.
As outrage builds, pressure is now mounting on Nigeria’s Ministry of Sports and the National Assembly to launch urgent probes into the scandal and hold AFN leadership accountable.
