Nigeria Losing the Olympics Is Only the Beginning​

Nigeria’s unimpressive performance in the just concluded Olympics despite a budget of ₦12 billion points to deeper systemic failures, rather than a mere lack of preparation and raises causes for major concern. 

On X (formerly known as Twitter), the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, fought for his life. From the beginning of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, the minister explained, clarified and ‘did damage control’ to set the records straight on why athletes representing Nigeria put up with some of the most embarrassing experiences resulting solely from the government’s neglect and incompetence. First, Senator Enoh explained why athlete, Favour Ofili was not allowed to run in the women’s 100m race due to stories about not being registered even though Ofili was qualified and prepared. The next day, the minister also had to explain the kitting scandal surrounding the athletes. Then he had to clarify when Nigeria women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, were turned away from their boat at the opening ceremony procession. A few days later, the esteemed minister, once again, had to explain why the Ministry of Sports Development had not made provisions for a track bike for the Nigerian cyclist, Ese Ukpeseraye. The national ill-preparedness left Ukpeseraye with no options but to borrow a bike from her German counterparts.

Beyond the scandals, which were so embarrassing that the minister made individual posts about them on X to save face, there were other, more textured deeply hurtful events that one would miss if only relying on the minister’s posts. A good example is the poor treatment of the athletes who left without support. The abandonment and lack of support were more glaring—albeit not less impactful—among athletes who competed in solo contests than it was among the ones who competed in team contests. Unforgivable levels of maladroitness that were just as shocking as they were heartbreaking, displayed by the Ministry of Sports Development in this year’s summer Olympics, left Nigerians and spectators around the world bewildered...