Nigeria Misses Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships Relays [See Why]

Nigeria misses all relay events at Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships amid AFN administrative lapses and athlete visa failures.

In a shocking development for Nigerian sports, the country will not be participating in any relay events at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. This setback reportedly stems from serious administrative lapses within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

According to insiders, qualified athletes were allegedly replaced with officials, while the federation also failed to secure the necessary visas for key competitors. These missteps have effectively ruled Nigeria out of the relay races — traditionally one of the nation’s strongest events at global competitions.

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Sports analysts have described the situation as a “major blow” to Nigeria’s athletics reputation, especially as the country has historically excelled in relay events at world championships. Calls are mounting for an urgent review of the AFN’s processes to prevent similar mishaps in the future.

This latest controversy underscores the growing demands for improved governance and transparency within Nigeria’s sporting institutions. Without prompt reforms, experts warn, the nation risks losing its competitive edge on the global stage.