The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has provided fresh updates on the ongoing age discrepancy investigations involving some Nigerian athletes, even as the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) remains silent weeks after receiving the federation’s report.
READ ALSO: Samuel Ikpefan to Fly Nigeria’s Flag at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
Okowa spoke in Asaba during an inspection tour of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, which has been officially named by the AFN as the camping base for Team Nigeria ahead of a busy 2026 athletics season.
The visit was part of preparations for major competitions lined up for the year.
According to the AFN president, the federation has already submitted a comprehensive response to the AIU concerning queries on alleged age discrepancies involving certain under-18 and under-20 athletes.
“It will take some time for the AIU to respond to our report, but I am confident of a positive outcome. The exercise we have embarked upon is a continuous process,” Okowa said, while acknowledging that the global integrity body is yet to issue feedback.
He warned coaches and officials against any form of sharp practices, stressing that the AFN would not hesitate to impose stiff sanctions on anyone found culpable.
Okowa reiterated that safeguarding integrity and credibility remains central to the federation’s reform agenda.
On the domestic front, the AFN has designated the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, as the official camp for home-based athletes as preparations intensify for a packed international calendar.
The competitions include the World Relays Championships in Gaborone, Botswana in May, the Senior Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Championships in Accra, Ghana, the CAA Region II Senior Championships in Dakar, Senegal, and the World Junior Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States.
Okowa led the inspection tour alongside the federation’s Technical Director, Gabriel Okon, AFN Secretary Israel Inwang, and the Athletes’ Representative.
The team assessed the state of facilities and support infrastructure to ensure they meet the standards required for elite-level training.
The camping programme received a major boost with the Delta State Government approving the use of the Stephen Keshi Stadium facilities free of charge.
Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori’s gesture further underlines Delta State’s long-standing commitment to sports development.
The AFN disclosed that the camping exercise would be conducted in phases and closely supervised by the Technical Committee to ensure proper conditioning, monitoring and gradual build-up of athletes across different events and age categories.
Addressing athletes expected to be invited to camp, Okowa assured them of the federation’s commitment to their welfare, noting that creating a stable and supportive training environment is a top priority of the current AFN administration.
On the report submitted by the AFN probe panel, the federation’s president revealed that the board would soon meet to study and deliberate on the findings as part of broader efforts to strengthen governance and transparency in Nigerian athletics.
Okowa concluded by commending the Delta State Government and the Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Onoriode Joshua Oborevwori, for their hospitality and support, describing Asaba as a conducive and welcoming environment for Nigerian athletes preparing for continental and global engagements.
, Chief Tonobok Okowa, has provided fresh updates){kind=link}