Nigeria will not be fielding any relay teams at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after administrative lapses by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) led to the country’s disqualification. Reports indicate that qualified athletes were controversially replaced with federation officials, while visa delays further compounded the crisis, preventing the team from completing registration requirements.
The development is a major setback for Nigerian athletics, as relay events have historically been one of the nation’s strongest disciplines on the global stage. With the Championships already underway, athletes and fans have expressed frustration over the missed opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s talent and compete for medals.
Sports analysts have described the episode as another example of governance failures within Nigerian athletics, warning that such administrative mismanagement undermines the nation’s reputation in international sports. Calls are mounting for a thorough investigation into the AFN’s handling of the Tokyo outing, with stakeholders demanding accountability and reforms to restore credibility to the sport.