Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has strongly criticized Nigeria’s sports leadership following the country’s disappointing performance at the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympics. Nigeria returned without a single medal, despite investing billions of naira, while nine other African nations celebrated medal wins.
In a statement on his X handle, Obi expressed his frustration, saying, “With the Paris Olympics 2024 now officially over, it is disheartening to see our beloved Team Nigeria come home empty-handed despite significant financial investments. This situation highlights the reckless and irresponsible leadership that has plagued our nation, making us appear foolish on the global stage.”
Obi pointed out the stark contrast between Nigeria’s spending and Jamaica’s success, stating, “Jamaica spent less than 5% of our investment and secured six medals, while Nigeria, with its large population and hefty budget, returned without even a bronze. We allocated around N12 billion for this Olympics, nearly double the budget for the entire Ministry of Science and Technology this year, resulting in over N136 million (about $85,000) spent on each of our 88 athletes. Meanwhile, Jamaica managed to achieve remarkable results with just about $2,300 spent per athlete. We must critically examine why our substantial investment yielded no returns.”
He lamented the systemic issues in Nigerian sports, emphasizing that the absence of meritocracy and competence in leadership has led to such failures. Obi highlighted the case of Favour Ofili, a sprinter who had trained for years only to be unjustly excluded from the 100m race by Nigerian sports authorities. He also referred to Annette Echikunwoke, a former Nigerian hammer thrower who switched allegiance to the United States due to similar administrative failures, ultimately winning a medal.
Obi claimed that some injured athletes, unfit to compete, were still receiving allowances in Paris, while sports officials, who had no business being at the Olympics, were enjoying lavish lifestyles at the expense of national resources. He recalled the story of athlete Ese Ukpeseraye, who had to borrow a bicycle to compete, calling it a disgraceful reflection of the country’s priorities.
“What a shame! When will we put an end to these reckless behaviors that rob our nation of opportunities to shine?” he asked. Obi urged the government to investigate these issues and ensure accountability among those responsible for the mismanagement.
He called for a shift towards a culture of discipline and commitment in Nigeria, advocating for a “New Nigeria” built on merit and capability.
In a separate tribute, Obi honored two former football stars, Stanley Okoronkwo and Harrison Mecha, who recently passed away. He joined fellow sports enthusiasts in a memorial service in Enugu, praising their contributions to Nigerian football and expressing the importance of celebrating such heroes to inspire the younger generation.
“These athletes made significant impacts in our society through their talents, and we must recognize their legacies,” he stated. “May God grant them eternal rest and provide strength to their families and all those who mourn their loss.”
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