A Federal Government investigative panel has determined that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is responsible for the omission of sprinter Favour Ofili from the women’s 100-meter race at the Paris Olympics. The committee’s findings, released on Monday, indicate lapses by AFN officials in ensuring Ofili’s registration.
Nigeria concluded the 2024 Paris Olympics, held from July 26 to August 11, without securing a single medal. The disappointment was compounded by issues such as Ofili’s exclusion from the 100m event and Nigerian cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye’s revelation that she borrowed a track bike from the German team to compete.
The committee’s chairman, Mumini Alao, identified the AFN, the Nigeria Olympic Committee, World Athletics, and the International Olympic Committee as bearing responsibility for the error. According to the report, AFN Secretary General Rita Mosindi failed to communicate critical updates about Ofili’s eligibility to the Ministry of Sports Development and the Nigeria Olympic Committee in a timely manner.
The committee also criticized AFN Technical Director Samuel Onikeku for “poor judgment” in handling information about Ofili’s non-registration. The report suggests that had Onikeku acted promptly, Ofili’s participation might have been secured.
The committee recommended disciplinary action against the implicated officials and advised that the AFN compensate Ofili with N8 million for the distress caused by her exclusion.
Regarding the incident with Ese Ukpeseraye, the committee requested the cyclist submit a formal apology to the Nigerian Cycling Federation and the Nigerian Olympic team. Ukpeseraye had posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she borrowed a bike, a statement that allegedly embarrassed the federation.
The report was submitted to the now-defunct Ministry of Sports Development on October 22, just before President Tinubu dissolved the ministry and assigned its responsibilities to the National Sports Commission, headed by Shehu Dikko.
