AFN Sounds Alarm: Nigerian Athletes Fleeing Abroad Due to Funding Crisis
Federation President Makes Urgent Appeal to Government and Private Sector
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has issued a stark warning about the growing exodus of Nigerian athletes seeking foreign citizenship, attributing the trend to chronic underfunding of sports in the country. The revelation came during a press briefing at the All Nigeria Athletics Trials currently underway at Lagos’s Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex.
AFN President Chief Tonobok Okowa painted a troubling picture of Nigeria’s athletic future, where homegrown talents are being lost to better-funded foreign programs. “We’re watching our best athletes slip away because we can’t provide basic support,” Okowa lamented, his voice heavy with concern.
The Ofili Case: A Warning Sign
Okowa highlighted the impending loss of star sprinter Favour Ofili to Turkey as emblematic of the crisis. “Favour Ofili is almost gone,” he revealed. “When athletes of her caliber start looking elsewhere, we must recognize this as a five-alarm fire for Nigerian athletics.”
The AFN president’s disclosure underscores a painful reality: Nigeria’s sports infrastructure currently lacks the resources to retain world-class talent. Athletes increasingly view foreign citizenship as their only path to proper training, equipment, and competitive opportunities.
Five Critical Funding Areas
Okowa outlined five essential areas requiring immediate financial injection:
- Comprehensive athlete training programs
- International competition travel
- Athlete welfare and support systems
- Domestic sports participation
- Global championship preparation
“These aren’t luxuries,” Okowa emphasized. “They’re the basic requirements for keeping Nigeria competitive on the world athletic stage.”
Trial Performances Show Promise Amid Challenges
Despite the funding crisis, Okowa reported encouraging performances at the ongoing trials, particularly among female athletes. “Our women are proving Nigeria remains a powerhouse of sprinting talent,” he noted, while acknowledging strong showings from male competitors as well.
The federation president set an ambitious target: qualifying Nigeria’s relay teams for September’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. “With proper support, our relay squads can shine globally,” Okowa asserted. “But we can’t do magic without resources.”
A Call for National Support
Okowa expressed gratitude to current sponsors including Arise News, Premium Trust Bank, and the National Sports Commission for supporting the Lagos trials. However, he stressed this represents just the beginning of what’s needed.
“We’re calling on corporate Nigeria, philanthropists, and all patriots who value our nation’s sporting glory,” Okowa appealed. “Invest in our athletes today, or watch them compete for other countries tomorrow.”
The AFN president was flanked during the briefing by Technical Director Gabriel Okon, two elite athletes, and honorary board member Kola Aderibigbe – a visual representation of the federation’s collaborative approach to solving this crisis.
The Bigger Picture: Nigeria’s Global Sports Standing
Sports analysts warn that Nigeria risks losing its hard-earned reputation as an athletic powerhouse if this funding gap persists. The country has produced Olympic medalists and world champions across multiple disciplines, but maintaining this legacy requires sustained investment.
As the press conference concluded, one question hung heavy in the air: Will Nigeria act in time to keep its athletic treasures, or will the current generation of stars become the foundation of other nations’ future successes?
Full credit to the original publisher: The Tide News Online – https://www.thetidenewsonline.com/2025/08/04/afn-appeal-for-adequate-funding/