In a detailed investigative report, a Federal Government committee has held officials within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) responsible for Favour Ofili’s controversial exclusion from the women’s 100-meter race at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This revelation has added another layer to Nigeria's disappointing Olympic campaign, where the nation ended its participation without any medals.
The report, released to journalists by Committee Chairman Mumini Alao, pinpointed lapses by key organizations, including the AFN, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), World Athletics, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). These groups, according to Alao, failed to secure Ofili’s registration in a critical event where she was a strong contender, effectively dashing her hopes for Olympic glory.
Alao’s findings particularly spotlighted AFN Secretary General Rita Mosindi, accusing her of "negligent communication" with both the Ministry of Sports Development and the NOC, a lapse that prevented timely updates regarding Ofili’s competition status.
In a similar vein, the committee criticized AFN Technical Director Samuel Onikeku for "poor judgment," saying he ignored a “hint” about Ofili’s registration error. The committee believes Onikeku’s failure to escalate the issue may have thwarted any potential intervention.
To redress the harm suffered, the committee proposed that AFN pay Ofili N8 million as compensation for the disappointment and mental anguish caused by her exclusion. This recommendation underscores the psychological toll of missing out on a high-stakes event after months of rigorous preparation.
The report also addressed another controversy involving Nigerian cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye. Following her public statement on X (formerly Twitter) about borrowing a track bike from the German team, the committee asked Ukpeseraye to issue a formal apology to the Nigeria Cycling Federation (NCF) for what it termed an “embarrassment” to the Nigerian contingent.
The committee labeled her post as unauthorized and inappropriate, suggesting that it portrayed Nigeria's contingent in a negative light.
In a move that has now redirected the path of Nigerian sports administration, President Bola Tinubu scrapped the Ministry of Sports Development, transferring its functions to the National Sports Commission, which is now under the leadership of Shehu Dikko.
The committee submitted its report to the now-defunct ministry on October 22, one day before the ministry's dissolution, signaling a possible new chapter for sports governance in Nigeria.
This report is likely to spark further debate on the oversight and accountability of Nigerian sports authorities, as officials and athletes alike grapple with the aftermath of a turbulent Olympics.