It is obvious that Nigeria is missing from the Olympic medal table. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with over 223 million people, failed to secure a single medal at the Paris 2024 Games. This absence is particularly notable compared to other African nations, as Kenya led the continent with 11 medals, followed by South Africa with 6, and Algeria with 3. Nigeria’s zero-medal haul echoes disappointing performances in previous Olympic Games, including London 2012, Seoul 1988, Moscow 1980, and Mexico City 1968.
Optimism had been high for Nigeria’s athletes heading into Paris, especially in athletics. Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, was a strong contender but failed to qualify for the final. Similarly, Odunayo Adekuoroye, a four-time World Championship medalist and eight-time African champion, was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Ese Brume, a two-time World Athletics Championship medalist and Olympic bronze medalist, narrowly missed the podium, finishing fifth in the women’s long jump. Adding to the nation’s woes, Nigeria’s 4x400m men’s relay team was disqualified due to a lane infringement, leaving the country’s overall Olympic performance far below expectations.
The disappointing outcome has sparked widespread criticism across Nigeria. Public outcry, echoed by sports analysts and concerned Nigeria, has centered on the government’s perceived lack of commitment to sports. Critics have pointed to inadequate preparation, underfunding, administrative inefficiencies, and poor training schedules as key factors contributing to the team’s underperformance.
Federal Government has historically struggled to invest adequately in a national training program compared to those in traditional Olympic powerhouses, which view gold medals as symbols of national pride. Compounding the issue, Nigeria sent only 88 athletes to Paris, compared to South Africa’s 144.
Reports from TV Continental have highlighted the broader challenges faced by Nigeria’s Olympic representatives, including the lack of adequate support staff such as physiologists, coaches, and nutritionists. These deficiencies reflect a broader failure by the government to invest in sports infrastructure, despite the country’s vast potential. Thousands of talented athletes remain untapped due to a lack of proper facilities and support.
On TVC, sports analyst Hassan Alwan underscored that many of Nigeria’s Olympians are self-funded. He noted that the Nigerian women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, made history by becoming the first African team to reach the quarterfinals, yet most of these players, apart from Murjanatu Liman Musa, were not developed in Nigeria. He mentioned that Nigeria does not even have an internationally standard basketball court. “Until we address these basic concerns,” Alwan warned, “it will be difficult to achieve excellence at the highest levels of sport, where victories are often decided by mere milliseconds.”
As the focus shifts to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Nigeria’s success will largely depend on the Federal Government’s commitment to sports development. Other nations, such as South Africa and India, have already begun preparations. India, for instance, has allocated $260 million to boost its chances at the next Games. South Africa has already established an Olympic committee to identify potential in each medal category and nurture athletes well in advance.
Without significant reforms, Nigeria risks continuing its trend of Olympic underperformance, leaving a nation rich in talent but lacking the infrastructure and support needed to transform potential into podium finishes.
