In yet another disappointing outcome on the global stage, Team Nigeria ended their campaign at the 2024 World Athletics U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, without securing a single medal. This marks a troubling trend for the nation, following a similarly fruitless appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Despite high hopes and a roster filled with promising young athletes, Nigeria’s performance in Lima mirrored their dismal showing in Paris, where they failed to capture any medals despite sending 88 athletes to compete across 12 sports. Key athletes, including Tobi Amusan, Blessing Oborududu, Favour Ofili, Ese Brume, and Quadri Aruna, fell short of expectations, contributing to what was Nigeria’s worst Olympic performance since London 2012.
The U-20 Championships proved no less challenging, as the country’s medal prospects were dashed early in the competition. The women’s 4×100 meters relay team, featuring Justina Eyakpobeyan, Prestina Ochonogor, Favour Onyah, and Precious Nzeakor, initially finished fifth in their heat but were later disqualified for a late baton exchange, extinguishing any hope of advancing to the finals. The women’s 4×400 meters relay team also withdrew from their event, further deepening the country’s woes.
On the men’s side, the 4×100 meters relay team, composed of Caleb Joshua, Oseiwe Salami, Caleb John, and Chidera Ezeakor, showed promise with a season-best time of 40.28 seconds, finishing third in their heat. However, they narrowly missed out on a spot in the final as their time was not fast enough to qualify as one of the fastest losers.
These setbacks highlight the persistent challenges facing Nigerian athletics, particularly in nurturing young talent and converting potential into podium finishes. The performance in Lima underscores the need for increased investment in grassroots sports development and better support structures for emerging athletes.
The series of controversies that marred Nigeria’s participation in the Paris Olympics—ranging from questionable athlete selections and the dropping of key coaches to administrative oversights—appear to have left lasting effects. These issues, coupled with the Lima failures, serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for systemic changes in Nigerian sports management.
As the curtain falls on the 2024 World Athletics U-20 Championships, Nigeria’s focus must now shift to the next generation of athletes. To avoid repeating these disappointments on the world stage, sports administrators, coaches, and athletes alike must learn from the lessons of Lima and make the necessary adjustments ahead of future competitions.
