In response to Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sports Minister John Onoh has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s sporting federations. Despite Nigeria’s participation in 12 events, the nation failed to secure a single medal, a repeat of its 2012 Olympics outcome.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on August 14, 2024, Onoh emphasized the urgent need for reforms within the sporting federations to ensure that the best athletes represent Nigeria in future competitions. He criticized the current leadership of these federations, blaming them for the poor performance and underscoring the necessity of effective systems and structures to achieve success.
“I’ve always stated that we need to reform our federations. This discussion must continue, not just as a reaction to the lack of medals, but to address the deeper issues that have plagued our sports development,” Onoh said.
The minister revealed that when he took office in August 2023, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) was in a state of disrepair, with none of the federations having well-equipped training centers. He admitted that while he supports declaring a state of emergency for sports development, his powers are limited when it comes to replacing ineffective federation leaders, as they are elected by congresses and serve four-year terms.
Onoh expressed his frustration at the lack of preparation and motivation among Nigerian athletes, despite substantial financial investments. Over ₦8 billion was spent on the Olympics, yet the focus was more on qualifying for the games than on training. The minister warned that heads would roll if investigations revealed sabotage or negligence within the federations.
Reflecting on the outcome, Onoh said, “It is very sad that Nigeria, with all its potential, couldn’t clinch a single medal. The situation calls for drastic action if we are to reverse this trend in future international competitions.”
