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By JOE APU
Nigeria’s athletics ecosystem is enjoying a remarkable resurgence, driven largely by the emergence and success of home-based athletes who are restoring the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading athletics nations.
Over the past year, locally based athletes have been at the forefront of Nigeria’s impressive performances at major regional and international competitions, validating the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) renewed focus on grassroots development and elite athlete nurturing.
One of the defining moments of the resurgence came during Nigeria’s qualification campaign for the World Athletics Relays Championships in Gaborone, Botswana. Determined to re-establish the country as a global relay powerhouse, the AFN, with support from the National Sports Commission (NSC), implemented an extensive preparation programme that exposed athletes to major national and international competitions ahead of the championships.
The investment paid off as Team Nigeria secured qualification in six relay events for the World Athletics Relays, underlining the country’s growing strength in the discipline.
Nigeria’s relay teams went on to build on that success in Botswana, earning three relay qualification slots for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China and reaffirming the nation’s status among the world’s elite relay nations.
A historic milestone was achieved through Nigeria’s mixed relay team, which became the first African nation to qualify for the Mixed 4x100m Relay event at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship scheduled for Budapest, Hungary, in September.
The country’s progress had become evident even before the World Relays, with a predominantly home-based Team Nigeria producing impressive performances at the Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia. The athletes gained valuable international experience and confidence ahead of bigger assignments.
The trend continued at the CAA Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, where locally based athletes formed the backbone of the Nigerian contingent and delivered strong performances against some of Africa’s finest competitors.
Speaking on the development, AFN Second Vice President Aku Aghazu said the achievements reflected the federation’s deliberate commitment to building athletics from within.
“The true strength of any athletics system is not measured by its stars or elites abroad but by the opportunities made available to athletes training in Nigeria,” Aghazu said.
She described home-based athletes as the foundation of Nigeria’s athletics future and a central pillar of the federation’s long-term strategy.
According to her, the AFN has already commenced programmes designed to keep athletes active throughout the year through competitions, training camps, performance monitoring and talent development initiatives.
The federation also acknowledged the support received from the National Sports Commission, particularly during the recent training camp in Asaba, noting that the benefits were reflected in Nigeria’s performances at both the World Relays in Botswana and the African Championships in Ghana.
Despite financial challenges, Aghazu maintained that the federation remains committed to providing greater opportunities for athletes based in Nigeria.
“From improved competition structures to enhanced athlete support, stronger partnerships with schools and stakeholders, and capacity building for coaches and officials, the AFN is committed to ensuring that our home-based athletes receive opportunities comparable to their counterparts abroad,” she said.
She also commended the leadership of the National Sports Commission, headed by Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, for its continued support of athletics development.
Among the major projects currently underway is the refurbishment of the athletics facility in Shagamu, Ogun State, which Aghazu said would significantly boost athlete development.
She revealed that Babcock University would support athletes through scholarship opportunities, while the NSC continues to facilitate greater international exposure for home-based competitors.
In another major incentive, Aghazu disclosed that prize money would be introduced at the National Trials for the first time in many years, targeting outstanding home-based athletes and coaches as part of efforts to reward excellence.
The AFN’s talent development programme has already produced a new generation of promising athletes, including Chidera Ezeakor, Tejiri Godwin, Miracle Ezechukwu, Maria Thompson, Rosemary Nwankwo, Nathaniel Samson, Sikiru Adeyemi, Asuquo Ezekiel, Esther Okon, Gafari Badmus and Toheebat Jimoh.
“We selected these athletes and exposed them to modern track and field training methods. The results have been excellent. The federation is determined to improve the process and keep our athletes engaged through regular competitions and camping programmes,” Aghazu added.
The performances of Nigeria’s emerging talents have also attracted growing interest from leading universities in the United States and top athletics clubs around the world, creating scholarship and professional development opportunities for young athletes.
To ensure such opportunities align with national objectives, the AFN’s Performance Directorate and Technical Committee have continued to monitor athlete development pathways and provide guidance for athletes pursuing careers abroad.
The federation noted that improved funding support from the NSC, including timely release of funds and athlete grants, has enabled programmes to run more effectively while allowing athletes to focus fully on training and competition.
For the first time in over a decade, the AFN and NSC have also reintroduced structured camping programmes for elite home-based athletes, creating a more conducive environment for preparation ahead of major competitions.
With relay qualification successes, World Championship berths, continental medals and historic achievements already recorded, home-based athletes have become the cornerstone of a new era of optimism in Nigerian athletics.
Aghazu believes the long-term future of the sport will depend largely on the country’s ability to develop and retain talent at home.
“The future of Nigerian athletics will be built on the tracks, fields, schools and communities across Nigeria, where talented young athletes are given the opportunity to dream, develop and succeed,” she said.
While acknowledging that challenges remain, the AFN official expressed confidence that the federation is on the right path.
“Progress should be seen as a continuous marathon rather than a destination. With the support of the NSC, the AFN is making significant strides towards ensuring that success is home-grown and sustainably nurtured.”
With an expanding talent pool, improved funding structures, enhanced technical support and a clearly defined development pathway, Nigerian athletics appears poised for a bright future, with its next generation of stars already making an impact on the global stage.
