- Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development apologized for the country’s disappointing performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, acknowledging no medals were secured
- The Minister emphasized the need for lessons learned from this experience to improve future performances and uphold Nigeria’s sports reputation
Following the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development has issued a public apology to Nigerians, acknowledging that the country’s performance fell short of expectations.
The Minister, who assumed office in August 2023, highlighted the challenges he faced upon taking up the role, which included preparing for four major international competitions: AFCON, the African Games, the Olympics, and the Paralympics. He noted that preparations for the Olympics, which should typically span four years, had not even begun when he took office.
Determined to uphold Nigeria’s international sports reputation, the Minister embarked on an ambitious plan to replicate or surpass Nigeria’s historic performance at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics. He quickly convened meetings with National Sports Federations, launched a nationwide inspection of sports facilities, and formed a Ministerial Podium Performance Advisory Committee composed of seasoned sports professionals.
However, the Minister acknowledged that Nigeria was at a disadvantage, as athletes from other countries had already qualified and structured their training programs well in advance. Despite this, he and his team remained undeterred and worked tirelessly to prepare the athletes.
The Minister revealed that after the African Games, attention shifted to those federations with strong chances of qualifying for the Olympics. However, the priority for these federations seemed to be qualification rather than thorough preparation for the Games. This approach, he admitted, needs to change.
To provide the best possible training environment, the Ministry approved both onshore and offshore training camps for the athletes, with most training in Saarbrucken, Germany. The facilities in Germany were chosen based on strong recommendations from the Ministry’s team, including a former world champion and Olympic gold medalist.
Throughout the preparations and the Games, the Minister emphasized that funds were not a limiting factor, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ensured that all necessary financial support was provided. Despite these efforts, the Nigerian team’s performance was disappointing, and the Minister acknowledged that Nigerians deserve an explanation.
The Ministry has now initiated a comprehensive review of the athletes’ competition readiness, including their injury and medical history, as well as the role of coaches and administrative staff. The Minister emphasized that lessons must be learned from this experience to ensure significant improvements in future competitions.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s Olympic history, the Minister noted that the country last returned from the Olympics without a medal in 2012, but had since secured a bronze in 2016 and both a silver and a bronze in 2020. He stressed that Nigeria deserves more and urged the nation to turn the disappointing outcome of the 2024 Olympics into a positive force for the future of Nigerian sports.