AFN Lauds Nigerian Stars Ajayi, Ogazi, Okon After Stellar NCAA Performances

The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has extended his congratulations to sprinters Kanyinsola Ajayi and Samuel Ogazi, following their record-breaking victories in the 100m and 400m respectively at the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Ajayi, who had previously set a new Nigerian record with an impressive 9.84 seconds, stormed to a sensational 9.72s (2.2m/s wind assistance) in the men’s 100m final. This triumph makes him only the third Nigerian in history to claim the NCAA 100m title, following Olapade Adenekan in 1992 and Divine Oduduru in 2019.

Samuel Ogazi, meanwhile, delivered a blistering world-leading and NCAA record-breaking time of 43.38 seconds to secure the men’s 400m title.

In a statement released on Saturday and signed by Dr. Kola Oredipe, Media Co-ordinator for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, President Okowa asserted that the dominant display by Nigerian athletes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) finals was not a stroke of luck. Instead, he described it as a clear affirmation of Nigeria’s standing as a powerhouse in global track and field.

Okowa expressed the nation’s delight at the progress of these collegiate athletes in the US.

“I celebrate these youngsters, Kanyinsola Ajayi, Samuel Ogazi, and Israel Okon, who secured silver in the men’s 200 metres with a time of 19.99 seconds,” Okowa stated. “If not for the wind, Ajayi’s time would have become the new African record, and I am confident he is in the best shape to achieve that very soon. I extend huge congratulations to all Nigerian athletes competing in the NCAA finals. They continue to be our commendable ambassadors in Eugene at the Championships, and they are certainly not disappointing. We anticipate further successes. This clearly marks a new chapter for Nigerian athletics.”