Nigerian Sports Federation Needs Overhaul – Olympic Champion Chioma Ajunwa Blames Athlete Exodus on Poor Leadership

Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa-Oparah, has attributed the growing trend of Nigerian athletes switching nationalities to inadequate leadership within the country’s sports sector.

Her remarks come in the wake of reports that top sprinter Favour Ofili has changed her nationality from Nigeria to Turkey.

Reacting to the development, Ajunwa emphasized that poor leadership and mismanagement remain the primary reasons athletes are seeking better opportunities elsewhere.

“The Nigerian sports federation needs a lot of work,” Ajunwa posted on her official X account.

“Losing Nigerian citizens to other countries like Turkey is a sign of bad leadership. From athletics to football and other sports, we have amazing talents who end up winning medals, flying the flags of other countries.”