On August 2, 1996, Chioma Ajunwa made history as Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medalist, achieving a long jump of 7.12 meters. However, just hours later, this groundbreaking achievement was overshadowed by Nigeria’s victory in the men’s football final, a triumph that ignited nationwide celebrations. Despite Ajunwa’s feat, Nigeria’s sporting focus remained heavily skewed towards football, leaving other sports—and the athletes who dedicated their lives to them—marginalized and underfunded.

Neglect and Unequal Priorities in Nigerian Sports

Nigerian authorities and fans have long prioritized football, leaving athletes in other sports such as boxing, weightlifting, athletics, taekwondo, and chess fighting an uphill battle for support and recognition. This neglect has created a persistent disparity, with non-football sports being dismissed as “lesser” despite producing remarkable global champions.

Athletes like Ajunwa, who leapt to fame with her historic Olympic gold, often find themselves sidelined. Recounting her experience, Ajunwa recalls a lonely victory lap, carrying a small borrowed flag, as officials focused solely on the football team. This imbalance in recognition is symptomatic of a systemic issue: Nigerian sports authorities primarily allocate resources and attention to football, relegating other sports to the background despite their athletes’ international achievements.

Lost Opportunities in Diverse Sports

From the 1960s through the early 1990s, Nigerian athletes in diverse sports gained global recognition. Boxing, weightlifting, athletics, and taekwondo brought home international medals and set global records. Iconic athletes such as Hogan Bassey, Nigeria’s first world boxing champion; Chika Chukwumerije, who earned Nigeria a taekwondo Olympic bronze; and Odion Aikhoje, who won the 1998 Chess Olympiad, all elevated Nigeria’s sporting profile. Weightlifter Ruth Ogbeifo captured an Olympic silver in 2000, but despite their successes, their sports have not received adequate support.

Lack of attention to the varied sports once celebrated in Nigeria has stalled the development of young talent. Former athletes like Ogbeifo recall better treatment and structured preparation in the past, with high-quality facilities and training programs. Yet today, even basics like training spaces, medical support, and exposure to international competitions are rare, leaving the nation’s future athletes without the foundational support they need to excel.

Forgotten Heroes: A History of Neglect and Abandonment

Nigerian sports officials have a history of overlooking the welfare of athletes once they retire. Several former champions have struggled without support after sustaining injuries in the line of duty. Olympic medalist Etim Bassey, for example, returned from competing for Nigeria with an injury, only to face a life of poverty and obscurity. Samuel Peter, a former WBC heavyweight champion, similarly struggled to navigate life post-retirement, with little assistance from the country he represented on the world stage.

The story of boxing coach Jeremiah Okorodudu, who passed away without funds to cover his hospital bills, epitomizes this sad trend. These neglected heroes reflect the systemic failure to value athletes outside the confines of football, discouraging up-and-coming talents from fully committing to their sports for fear of being forgotten.

Addressing the Underlying Issues

Many experts argue that a lack of understanding and inadequate resources are at the root of this neglect. Odion Aikhoje, Nigeria’s 1998 Chess Olympiad gold medalist, asserts that Nigerian authorities often fail to grasp the significance of accomplishments outside football. Without sufficient funding and institutional support, lesser-known sports struggle to attract and retain talent, and the few athletes who succeed internationally often do so despite overwhelming odds.

In Nigeria, sports science, a vital aspect of modern athletic training, is either underutilized or absent, leaving athletes and coaches without access to updated training techniques and facilities. Wrestling coach Purity Akuh lamented that his knowledge has largely remained static due to a lack of ministry-organized seminars or training opportunities. Athletes must often rely on self-sponsorship for advanced training or medical care, such as the elbow surgery Ogbeifo paid for out of her Olympic allowance.

Calls for Structural Reforms and Support

To reclaim Nigeria’s legacy in various sports, stakeholders are calling for structural reforms that would allocate resources more equitably. Former Olympic medalist Deji Aliu and other sports advocates recommend upgrading facilities, creating an enabling environment for diverse sports, and increasing financial incentives for non-football athletes. This approach could involve establishing training hubs nationwide, initiating competitions, and providing sponsorships to encourage the development of young talent in underrepresented sports.

Renowned athletes are also advocating for the government to set up long-term insurance plans and pension funds for retired athletes, ensuring they receive the support they deserve. A dedicated policy could connect the ministry to federal hospitals, allowing for subsidized medical treatment for injured athletes. Such steps would ensure the wellbeing of Nigerian athletes, whether they represent the nation on the football field or in the boxing ring.

The Future of Nigerian Sports: Embracing a Broader Vision

Nigeria’s narrow focus on football has not only sidelined many talented athletes but has also limited the nation’s sporting potential. By investing in a wide array of sports and treating athletes from every discipline with equal respect and support, Nigeria can not only diversify its sports success but also provide young people with more opportunities to excel. Nigeria’s athletes have proven they can compete at the highest levels when given the right tools and recognition; it’s time the country repays them by establishing a more inclusive sporting culture.

Only by embracing a broader vision can Nigeria fully harness its vast sporting potential and inspire a new generation of champions in multiple disciplines. The nation’s rich sporting history shows what is possible; now, all that’s needed is the commitment to ensure that every Nigerian athlete, regardless of their chosen sport, is celebrated, supported, and remembered.