August 10, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Athletics Championships, held between August 1 and 3, 2025 at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos, served as a critical platform for Nigeria’s athletes to secure qualification for continental and international meets, such as the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, scheduled for September 13 – 21. Athletes such as Tobi Amusan, Udodi Onwuzurike and Nnamdi Onwaeze delivered standout performances, highlighting Nigeria’s depth of talent. However, the event was overshadowed by the revisiting of Favour Ofili’s potential switch of allegiance to Turkey, raising concerns about the state of Nigerian athletics.
The championships opened with high expectations, particularly for Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the women’s 100-metre hurdles. Amusan entered with a season’s best of 11.18 seconds in the 100 metres, achieved in Kingston, Jamaica in June 2025. In Lagos, she competed in both the hurdles and the flat 100 metres, earning her fifth national hurdles title with a time of 12.57 seconds, ahead of Adaobi Tabugbo (13.03 seconds) and Faith Osamuyi (13.36 seconds).
In the 100 metres, Amusan ran 11.30 seconds in her semi-final and 11.28 seconds in the repechage but withdrew from the final, likely to focus on her primary event. Her performance solidified her role as Nigeria’s leading hurdles athlete, with her focus on ending the nation’s medal drought at the World Championships since her 2022 Oregon gold.
Udodi Onwuzurike, the 2021 World U20 Champion, competed in the men’s 200 metres, bringing a personal best of 20.50 seconds. He faced strong competition from Alaba Akintola, who led Nigerian men with a 20.23-second personal best, just 0.07 seconds short of the World Championships qualifying mark. Other contenders included Olaolu Olatunde (20.39 seconds) and Emmanuel James Taiwo (20.83 seconds).
Nnamdi Onwaeze, a 2025 NCAA Division II All-American, emerged as a standout in the men’s 110-metre hurdles. Onwaeze won his first national title with a time of 14.13 seconds, defeating Wisdom Great Musa, who ran 14.19 seconds after a 13.73-second personal best in the semi-finals. Onwaeze’s victory followed a strong season, including a personal best of 13.63 seconds at the Al Brenda Track in Turlock, California, on May 23. He dedicated his emotional win to his late aunt, a key influence in his career, highlighting the growing impact of diasporan athletes in Nigerian athletics.
The men’s 100 metres was a highlight, with Israel Okon claiming the title in 10.04 seconds (+2.3 m/s), edging out Alaba Akintola (10.05 seconds) and Adekalu Fakorede (10.07 seconds). Defending champion Kanyinsola Ajayi, who ran 9.92 seconds twice in 2025, withdrew due to a minor injury, allowing Okon’s breakthrough. Seye Ogunlewe, a three-time champion, finished fourth in 10.09 seconds, followed by Olaolu Olatunde (10.15 seconds), James Emmanuel (10.16 seconds) and Enoch Adegoke (10.20 seconds).
In the 400 metres event, Samuel Ogazi led with a personal best of 44.41 seconds from the NCAA Championships in Eugene. His 44.43-second run at the NCAA East Prelims signalled his potential to challenge Sunday Bada’s 1995 Nigerian all-comers record of 44.69 seconds. Ezekiel Nathaniel, known for his 400-metre hurdles, ran an African indoor record of 44.74 seconds in 2025, while Chidi Okezie (44.98 seconds), Gafar Badmus (45.65 seconds), and Ezekiel Asuquo (45.83 seconds) added competition. Badmus won the final in 45.71 seconds, followed by Asuquo (46.29 seconds) and David Akhalu (46.91 seconds).
Field events produced some more notable results. Charles Godfred defended his men’s long jump title with a 7.95-metre leap, while Prestina Ochonogor won her second consecutive women’s long jump title with 6.52 metres. Temitope Adeshina, who equalled her national high jump record of 1.97 metres, aimed for her fourth title. Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons defended her discus title with 60.74 metres, ahead of Obiageri Amaechi (59.39 metres), while Sade Olatoye retained her hammer throw title with 67.50 metres.
The championships were overshadowed by reports of Favour Ofili’s potential switch to Turkey, announced by AFN President Tonobok Okowa during a press briefing. Okowa claimed Ofili, a 150-metre world record holder, had been “taken by the Turkish Federation” due to financial incentives of up to $500,000, citing her frustrations with the AFN, including her exclusion from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 100m at Paris 2024. However, the National Sports Commission’s Director General, Bukola Olopade, stated on August 6, that Ofili remains committed to Nigeria, and World Athletics still lists her as a Nigerian athlete. A three-year waiting period under World Athletics rules may delay her eligibility to represent Turkey until 2027, unless an exemption is granted for administrative failures by the AFN.
The event also exposed challenges in Nigerian athletics. The AFN faced criticism for late venue confirmation, shifting from Benin City to Yabatech. Past administrative issues, including Ofili’s Olympic setbacks, persist, yet the hosting of the 3rd CAA African U18/U20 Championships in Abeokuta with 92 athletes reflects progress.
Nigeria’s relay teams, including the mixed 4×400-metre squad with an African record of 3:13.26 from 2024, aim for qualification at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou. The men’s 4×100-metre team, featuring Chidera Ezeakor, James Taiwo Emmanuel, Precious Oluyemi, and Olaolu Olatunde, won in 40.08 seconds, while the men’s 4×400-metre team ran 3:03.66, falling short of the World Championships standard.
The championships highlighted Nigeria’s potential for Tokyo 2025, with seven athletes, including Amusan, Ajayi, and Adeshina, qualified. Onwaeze’s emergence adds promise. Improved governance and infrastructure investment are needed, with corporate sponsorship, like Zenith Bank’s for the 2018 Asaba Championships, as a potential solution. Nigeria’s bid to host the 2029 or 2031 World Championships reflects its ambition.
The 2025 Nigerian Athletics Championships showed the nation’s talent and determination. Athletes like Amusan, Onwuzurike, and Onwaeze embodied Nigeria’s hopes, while emerging stars signalled a bright future. Despite administrative challenges and uncertainty around Ofili’s status, the event inspired fans and set the stage for Tokyo.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
