Sixteen-year-old track prodigy Jared Ejiasan has declared his intention to represent France at international level, effectively ending any immediate prospect of competing for Nigeria.
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Ejiasan made his position clear following a historic performance at the French U18 & U20 Indoor Championships in Val-de-Reuil on February 21, 2026, where he set a new U18 world record in the men’s 60 metres hurdles, clocking an outstanding 7.43 seconds.
The time eclipsed the previous mark of 7.48s held by Sasha Zhoya.
Born in Nigeria in 2009, Ejiasan relocated to France with his family in 2010 at the age of one. Speaking after the race, the teenage hurdler confirmed that he is currently completing the necessary documentation to obtain French citizenship.
“I arrived in France in 2010 at the age of one and I’m currently doing the paperwork to obtain citizenship. My goal is to be part of the French team,” Ejiasan said during his post-race interview.
Despite his Nigerian roots, Ejiasan has been developed within the French athletics system and competes domestically for AC Nord Val d’Oise.
He was previously listed as a Nigerian athlete with World Athletics, a status that could change once his naturalisation process is completed.
His decision has reignited conversations around talent migration in global athletics, particularly involving athletes of African origin who rise through European sports structures.
With his record-breaking run, Ejiasan has firmly announced himself as one of the most exciting young hurdlers in the world, and France now appears set to benefit from his rapidly growing profile on the international stage.
