Nigeria Targets World Championship Tickets At World Relays

Samuel Onikeku, the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has outlined one of Team Nigeria’s key objectives for the upcoming World Relays in China — to secure qualifying tickets for various relay events at the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.

The AFN revealed Nigeria’s contingent for the World Relays, which will take place from May 10 to 11 in China. Leading the team are women’s 100m hurdles record holder Tobi Amusan and 200m finalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Favour Ofili. Joining them for the women’s 4x100m relay are Rosemary Chukwuma, Tiana Eyakpobeyan, Success Umukoro, and Jennifer Chukwuka Obi.

“We are participating in these four relays because those are the events we are able to challenge for. We just do not want to go and participate in world relays but to qualify for the world championships. These are the best events that we could compete for,” Onikeku said in quotes relayed by Sure 97.5FM.

The 2025 World Championships, scheduled to take place from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo, will feature seven Nigerian athletes who have already secured their spots in eight individual events. The athletes are:

Tobi Amusan (women’s 100m hurdles)

Favour Ofili (women’s 200m)

Ezekiel Nathaniel (men’s 400m and 400m hurdles)

Samuel Ogazi (men’s 400m)

Tima Godbless (women’s 200m)

Ella Onojuvwevwo (women’s 400m)

These athletes will represent Nigeria in their respective events at the prestigious competition.

In China, Nigeria will compete in four out of the six events at the World Relays, including the men’s 4x100m, 4x400m, mixed relay, and the newly introduced 4x100m mixed relay. This broad participation reflects Nigeria’s strong presence and ambition at the upcoming competition.

The Nigerian relay teams have earned their spots in the World Relays through multiple qualification pathways, including designated competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympics and strong performances at the African Games at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.

The men’s 4x100m squad features Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ashe, Karlington Anunagba, Folawiyo Olaoye, and Usheoritshe Itshekiri. Nigeria’s 4x400m mixed relay team includes Chidi Okezie, Ifeanyin Ojeli, Samson Nathaniel, George Patience Okon, Praise Idamadudu, and Omolara Ogunmakinju. The 4x100m mixed relay team will be selected from Favour Ashe, Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ofili, and Success Umukoro. These teams will compete for qualification at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, aiming to secure a spot in the World Championships later this year.