By Ohuakanwa Chibuzo
Nigeria’s top athlete and world record holder, Tobi Amusan, failed to qualify for the 100m hurdles final at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has voiced deep disappointment and concern following Team Nigeria’s failure to secure any medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, sparking urgent calls for reforms in the nation’s sports administration.
In an official statement released on his X page on Saturday, Sports Minister John Enoh labeled the team’s performance as “disappointing” and stressed the urgent need for reforms aimed at improving leadership and effectiveness within Nigeria’s sports sector.
“Team Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the country did not secure any medals, is not merely an issue of our participation at the Olympics,” Enoh stated. “It is a reflection of many underlying issues that demand immediate attention.”
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The minister emphasized that the proposed reforms are crucial for enhancing the leadership and effectiveness of Nigeria’s sports federations, which he believes is necessary for better performances on the global stage.
“As we return home, we must take every possible measure to prevent a recurrence of the Paris disaster,” Enoh added. “This may require a thorough review of how leaders are elected to our sports federations. The upcoming elections for these federations will be a critical opportunity to ensure that only the most qualified individuals are chosen to lead.”
The call for reform comes in the wake of several disappointing outcomes for Nigeria’s athletes at the Games. On Friday, Tobi Amusan, a highly-rated athlete and world record holder, failed to qualify for the final of the 100m hurdles event. Additionally, four Nigerian athletes—Emmanuel Ojeli, Ezekiel Nathanial, Dubem Amene, and Chidi Okezie—were disqualified from participating in the final of the men’s 4x400m relay due to an alleged violation of competition rules.
The Tinubu administration’s response highlights the urgent need for structural changes within Nigeria’s sports administration to avoid similar outcomes in future international competitions.