Nigeria’s Olympic campaign ends without medals, but it’s more than meets the eye. From negligence to outright ineffectiveness, it was always bound to happen.
By Tuka Letura
With Tobi Amusan, the World Record holder in the 100m hurdles, Nigeria had every reason to be confident of securing at least one medal at the Olympics. Similar expectations surrounded Favour Ofili, who holds the African record in the women’s 200m with a time of 21.96 seconds.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nigeria fielded its largest-ever team, with 88 athletes competing across 12 sports events, including athletics, basketball, football, and wrestling. Despite this strong presence, Nigeria has, for the first time since the London Olympics in 2012, finished without winning a single medal.
The aftermath of Nigeria’s failure at the 2012 Olympics led then-President Goodluck Jonathan to insist on a complete overhaul of the nation’s sporting system. Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, conveyed that the President sought a ‘total and comprehensive’ overhaul to restore Nigerian sports to its ‘past glory’. However, that return has yet to materialise, as Nigeria finished with one medal in 2016, two in 2020, and none in 2024.
“Going back to the drawing board” is a phrase that originated during World War II, likely from a caption of a cartoon by Peter Arno in The New Yorker magazine, depicting a man holding blueprints while watching an airplane explode. It might as well be considered a Nigerian saying, given how frequently it is used to describe starting over after a setback—a recurring theme for Nigerian sports, particularly following the Paris Olympics.
What went wrong in Paris?
Just as the Nigerian pidgin proverb says, “Na from clap, person dey take enter dance,” meaning big things often start small, Nigeria’s troubles began as soon as they arrived in Paris, even before the Games officially started.
The treatment of the Nigerian Women’s National Basketball team, D’Tigress, was the first sign of trouble, even though they turned out to be the only real positive after the Games. They endured hours-long road trips to pre-tournament games—an unacceptable situation—and were even excluded from Nigeria’s opening ceremony parade boat on the Seine by a Nigerian official.
As dramatic and unfortunate as this situation was, it only scratched the surface of what was to come. Few days into the games, Nigerian sprinter, Favour Ofili, announced on social media that she won’t be competing in the women’s 100m at the 2024 Olympics because the Athletics Federation of Nigeria failed to enter her name, despite her having qualified.
Ofili was slated to compete in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. According to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), they did register her. Regardless, she did not compete in the 100m event due to the absence of her entry, and despite late appeals, the outcome could not be changed.
The aftermath of this incident has resulted in a back-and-forth between Nigerian Minister for Sport Owan Enoh, the AFN, and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) over who was truly responsible for the failure to register the sprinter.
With a resolution yet to be reached—and likely never to be, given Nigeria’s history of handling such situations—Ofili’s case and that of D’Tigress mirror issues from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which were similarly brushed aside. This situation highlights a clear case of administrative failure, a recurring issue in Nigerian sports that has become almost ingrained in the national culture.
Nigeria’s best hopes were pinned on Athletics, but for every step forward, they seemed to take two or more steps backward. In the Men’s 4x100m, Nigeria posted a Season’s Best time of 2:59.81 to qualify for the final— or so they thought. They were ultimately disqualified for lane infringement.
The women’s national football team, went through three group games without a win and only managed one goal, which came in the final game against Japan. Amusan, the World Record holder in the Women’s 100m hurdles, unfortunately missed out on a place in the final, finishing 9th overall from the semi-finals.
In the Women’s long jump, Nigeria made history as Ese Brume, Prestina Ochonogor, and Ruth Usoro became the first Nigerian trio to reach an Olympic final in an individual event. Brume, who holds the African record, led the way. Despite their remarkable achievement, the trio finished 5th, 10th, and 12th, all missing out on a medal.
Samuel Ogazi, a member of the disqualified Nigerian 4x400m team, came close to winning a medal, finishing fourth in the 400m final—but close was all it would be. Additionally, he was part of Nigeria’s 4x400m mixed relay team, which did not advance past the heats. Ultimately, Nigeria’s failure at the Olympics reflects broader issues of administrative, sporting, and technical inefficiencies within the country.
In another scenario Nigerian cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye, called up late for the Keirin and Sprint events, lacked a track bike for her the race, and only participated because the German team provided her with one.
Sports Minister, Owan Enoh clarified the situation regarding Ese Ukpeseraye’s participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, noting that Team Nigeria was initially prepared for just one road race in cycling. However, two weeks before the event, Nigeria received additional slots for the Keirin and individual sprint events due to another country’s disqualification. This unexpected reallocation required a different track bike, which typically takes months to acquire. To ensure Ukpeseraye could compete, a ‘Track Bike’ was sourced through her European club and a German-owned company.
These bikes are however available in walk-in sports outlets across Europe and even in Paris, contrary to the Minister’s claim.
What gives?
Representing Nigeria should mean more than just national honours and public recognition; it should involve genuine support for both athletes and officials. When accolades and recognition fall short, there must be adequate financial and emotional support to bridge the gap.
Take Favour Ofili, for example. After her loss in the 200m finals, she was in tears, expressing how exhausted she felt—likely a reflection of the mental toll caused by Nigeria’s failure to place her in the event where she had the best chance of winning a medal.
In stark contrast, Annette Echikunwoke, who was part of Nigeria’s 2020 Olympics contingent, went on to win a silver medal for the USA in the hammer throw at the Olympics. This was the first Olympic medal for the U.S. in the women’s hammer throw event. Despite switching allegiance to the USA, Echikunwoke, who still holds the African record in the hammer throw, has highlighted the significantly greater support she’s received there.
Her story is particularly important because she was unable to compete for Nigeria due to the negligence of the Nigerian Federation, which failed to set up the required drug tests and communicate her whereabouts to the necessary authorities. The situation with Echikunwoke is far from unique.
Salwa Eid Naser, formerly Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu, is another example. Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, she won the Nigerian School Sports title in 2013 but moved to Bahrain in 2014, where she received the support needed to fully realise her potential. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Naser won a silver medal in the women’s 400m final.
Similarly, Rashidat Adeleke, who competed alongside Salwa Eid Naser in the women’s 400m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics for Ireland and finished fourth, was born in Dublin to Nigerian parents from Oyo State. Her story, like Naser’s, underscores the trend of athletes with Nigerian heritage finding better opportunities abroad.
Even Yemisi Ogunleye, the Olympic champion in women’s shot put, is of Nigerian and German heritage. And as someone who takes pride in her Nigerian roots, it could easily have been a case of her representing Nigeria if the situation around how Nigeria was better.
There are countless examples like these, especially at this Olympics. Rashidat Adeleke’s semi-final in the 400m featured another athlete of Nigerian heritage, Victoria Ohuruogu, who was born to Nigerian parents. Similarly, Eziyoda “Ezi” Magbegor represented the Opals, Australia’s bronze-winning women’s basketball team, and Samuel Omorodion won gold with Spain in football.
Among the various stories of disappointment, D’Tigress’ journey stood out as a beacon of achievement. Despite facing numerous challenges, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team became the first African squad—male or female—to advance to the quarter-finals at the Olympics.
Under the leadership of Coach Rena Wakama, who was honoured as FIBA’s best coach of the tournament, and with star player Uchenna Kalu earning a spot on the All-Second Team, D’Tigress showcased remarkable resilience. Their campaign ended with a loss to the USA, a result that, while not unexpected, did little to tarnish their impressive performance and the pride they brought to African basketball.
In reality, expecting all these athletes to represent Nigeria can fall somewhere between wishful thinking and seeking rewards without having made the necessary efforts. However, this is not the end of the story. To address the issue effectively, it’s essential to first identify the root causes before proposing solutions. Once the underlying problems are understood, how can Nigeria enhance its chances of winning medals and increasing its medal count for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and beyond?
Already highlighted among Nigeria’s shortcomings are administrative failures, sporting structural problems, lack of support, technical issues, and historical negligence of facilities. According to Ese Ukpeseraye, who needed to borrow a bike, these issues are further compounded by the restricted use of Nigeria’s facilities, especially the velodrome in Abuja, one of the best in Africa. She notes that sometimes religious activities take precedence over sporting events, further limiting access for athletes and contributing to the loss of talent to other countries.
What needs fixing?
The first step to getting Nigeria back on track, both literally and figuratively, is administrative reform. There must be clear accountability for every step in an athlete’s journey within the nation. Transparency and accountability in this process are crucial.
When individuals understand that their underperformance, which leads to athletes’ underperformance, will have consequences, everyone will be motivated to improve and ensure things are done correctly.
After that, attention should be turned to infrastructure and support. This involves investing in modern training facilities equipped with the latest technology and ensuring their maintenance to meet high standards. Here, maintenance must be as important, if not more so, than the initial setup.
Establishing dedicated high-performance centres for athletes is also essential, providing them with specialized equipment and a conducive training environment. Comprehensive financial backing is another crucial step. Athletes should receive financial support through grants and sponsorships to cover training, competition, and living expenses, alleviating financial stress.
These efforts will be even more effective if they incorporate pathways from secondary schools to national, continental, and international competitions, integrating elements from both the Jamaican and American school sports systems.
These will come at a cost, but building strong partnerships with governmental bodies, private sector partners, and sports organizations can secure the necessary resources and funding. Engaging with local communities and fostering grassroots involvement in sports can further bolster support for elite athletes.
There also has to be emotional and psychological support for athletes, with access to sports psychologists and counsellors helping athletes manage the pressures of competition and life in general.
As these measures are implemented, local sports will start to feel the impact. Fresh enthusiasm and interest in new sporting events will emerge, attracting Nigerian talent from around the world while also keeping those with a strong connection to Nigeria interested in representing their country exclusively.
National honours for athletes should not only celebrate their achievements but also immortalise their contributions to the country’s sporting history. Compensation packages, including financial rewards and lifetime benefits, must be established to support athletes long after their careers, ensuring they are honoured for their dedication.
Unfortunately, the neglect faced by Chioma Ajunwa, Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medalist, highlights the failure to properly recognise and support our sporting heroes. This trend must be reversed quickly by rewarding Clement Chukwu, Sunday Bada, Enefiok Udo-Obong, Nduka Awazie, Fidelis Gadzama, and Jude Monye, Nigeria’s gold-winning relay team at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Recognising their achievements will set a precedent for future honours and serve as an inspiring example for new athletes.
Both living and deceased athletes who have brought glory to the nation should be celebrated through public ceremonies, monuments, and educational initiatives, ensuring that their legacies are preserved and continue to inspire future generations.
Finally, a strategic approach is needed, focusing on Nigeria’s strengths by investing more in sports where the country has historically excelled. As shown in the chart below, athletics remains a key area of success for Nigeria, and increasing investment in this field can help reclaim and build upon past achievements.
Simultaneously, it would be wise to explore and invest in new events where Nigeria has yet to compete, as these areas might present untapped opportunities for success. Skating, climbing, flag football, rowing, and canoeing should be considered, focusing on regions where these skills are already present and further developing them to achieve excellence.
To rebuild Nigerian sports and elevate the nation’s standing on the global stage, a collective effort from athletes, administrators, and the government is essential. The failure in Paris is not just a missed opportunity, but a critical wake-up call.
Now is the time to break the cycle of complacency and usher in a new era of accountability, investment, and pride in our athletes. If Nigeria can embrace these changes and commit to long-term strategies, perhaps at Los Angeles 2028, we will witness a triumphant return, where athletes are celebrated not just for their participation, but for the medals and pride they bring home. Perhaps athletes aren’t made to pay the ultimate price of time and commitment and having it all go to waste.
Tuka Letura is an experienced sports writer with over five years of experience in the craft. He uses data and statistics to provide analysis and commentary. From regional to worldwide competitions, he has covered a wide range of sports-related events and topics. He is devoted to sharing his enthusiasm for sports with his audience and engaging them with interesting anecdotes and viewpoints.