Former Nigerian track star and Olympian Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju has been elected to the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), marking a significant step forward in her commitment to developing athletics and advancing women’s sports in Nigeria.
Yusuf-Olukoju, a celebrated quarter-miler who has represented Nigeria on the world stage, emerged victorious in a keenly contested election held in Abuja, where she was chosen to represent the Nigeria Association for Women in Sports (NAWIS) on the AFN board.
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In her acceptance speech, Yusuf-Olukoju expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her and laid out an ambitious agenda aimed at transforming the landscape of Nigerian athletics, with special emphasis on female athletes.
“I am honored to serve on the board and eager to contribute meaningfully to the growth of athletics in Nigeria,” she said. “Women’s sports have been underrepresented for too long, and I intend to champion initiatives that empower female athletes and create more opportunities for young girls to excel in sports.”
Yusuf-Olukoju’s election comes at a crucial time when Nigerian athletics is striving to rebuild and regain its prominence on the global stage.
Her experience as a former elite athlete provides valuable insight into the challenges faced by sportswomen in Nigeria, from inadequate training facilities to limited funding and societal barriers.
She promised to work collaboratively with other board members, sports administrators, and stakeholders to improve infrastructure, enhance talent identification programs, and increase support for women’s participation in athletics at all levels.
“We must nurture talent from the grassroots and provide a supportive environment that allows athletes, especially women, to thrive and compete internationally,” she said.
As an Olympian and role model, Yusuf-Olukoju’s new role is widely welcomed by the sports community, who believe her leadership and vision can help usher in a new era for Nigerian athletics and inspire a generation of female athletes to reach their full potential
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