Nigeria’s chances of competing at the 2025 World Athletics Relays have taken a dramatic turn, and the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has now stepped forward with the full facts—before the public conversation gets hijacked by misinformation.
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Olopade confirmed that the Chinese embassy has now approved visas for Nigeria’s athletes, but warned that if the team fails to compete, the blame lies not with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), but with external forces.
“Let the facts be clear. The AFN did everything right and on time. The NSC approved the needed funds as far back as February or March. This is not a Nigerian failure—it’s a global systems failure,” he said.
The visa delay affected seven U.S.-based Nigerian athletes who were denied entry by the Chinese consulate in Guangzhou. This comes despite both local and international applications being submitted weeks ago. All home-based athletes had already received their visas.
Olopade criticized World Athletics for not ensuring the host nation provided smooth visa access for all competitors, saying the situation highlights a gap in planning and fairness.
AFN has now filed a formal petition with World Athletics, requesting Nigeria be granted a qualifying pass. The federation argues that it followed all protocols and should not be punished for what it describes as a failure in global coordination.
“We’re not just sitting back. We’ve acted fast and professionally, and we won’t allow false stories to spread. The athletes deserve better,” Olopade added.
Efforts are now underway to get the team on a flight out of Los Angeles. Whether they make it in time remains uncertain, but what’s clear is that the narrative now belongs to those with the truth.
