Nigeria’s next athletics star Iyanuoluwa Aderemi emerges from Akoko
By Uzor Odigbo
At just 17, Iyanuoluwa Aderemi is already attracting attention as one of Nigeria’s promising young athletics talents, with her remarkable 400m performance offering a glimpse of what could lie ahead.
Aderemi’s journey is rooted in Akoko, Ondo State, a hilly and mountainous region that has produced several notable athletes, including Isiaq Adeyanju, Folashade Abugan, Femi Ogunode, Tosin Ogunode and Josephine Oloye.
However, combining her education with athletics has affected her participation and performances in some other competitions.
Balancing academic commitments with the demands of training and competing at a high level remains a challenge for the young athlete.
Despite lacking a fully functioning stadium, Akoko’s demanding terrain has helped foster a culture of endurance, strength and athleticism, making the area a potentially rich source of sporting talent.
Aderemi began showing her ability while in Senior Secondary School 1, competing in inter-house sports and defeating older and more experienced athletes.
Her potential was later identified and developed by former athlete Adeleye Ogunmakinju, husband of multiple Olympian Omolara Ogunmakinju.
His experience in elite athletics has helped sharpen the young sprinter’s abilities.
Aderemi recently announced herself in impressive fashion, clocking 50.95 seconds in the 400m at the Dynamic Athletics Meet.
At the last Commonwealth Games Trials she stopped the clock at 51.86s while at the Niger Delta Games in Benin City, Edo State, South South, Nigeria in February she ran 52.46s.
The performance has raised hopes that Nigeria may have unearthed another potential star, but her development will require careful planning and sustained support.
With quality coaching, international exposure, sports science, medical support and backing from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the National Sports Commission, Aderemi could develop into a major international athlete.
For now, she remains a raw and exciting talent. But if properly nurtured, the teenager from Akoko could become one of the names Nigeria’s athletics fans will be celebrating on the global stage in the years ahead.
