The Paris 2024 Olympic Games were a bitter disappointment for Nigeria, a country with a proud sporting tradition and high hopes for success on the international stage. Despite substantial government investment, Team Nigeria could not win even a bronze medal. It was the worst outing for the country since London 2012.
This underperformance has sparked a major reckoning within the Nigerian sports establishment, with the federal government now demanding a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s approach to Olympic preparation. In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of Sports was instructed to begin laying the groundwork for Nigeria’s campaign at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics “right now”, signaling an urgency to address the deep-seated challenges plaguing the national sports system.
At the heart of this crisis lies a sobering reality – Nigeria’s current sports development model is simply not fit for purpose. Years of top-down, centralized control, rampant corruption, and a lack of long-term planning have crippled the ability of Nigerian athletes to compete at the highest levels. The Paris debacle has laid bare the need for a fundamental shift in strategy, one that prioritizes grassroots participation, scientific talent identification, and robust, well-funded elite training programmes.
The way forward must begin with a ruthless assessment of the shortcomings exposed in Paris. A blue-ribbon panel of sports experts, administrators, and independent observers should be convened to conduct a comprehensive review of the entire Nigerian sports ecosystem – from youth development pathways to high-performance coaching, from anti-doping protocols to the allocation of financial resources. This review must be accompanied by a clear, ambitious, and time-bound implementation plan that holds key stakeholders accountable for driving tangible improvements.
At the grassroots level, the emphasis must shift towards cultivating a genuine love of sports among Nigerian youth. This will require a significant investment in school-based physical education programs, the development of community sports centers, and the promotion of accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant sporting activities. By instilling a passion for sports from an early age, Nigeria can begin to build a deep, sustainable talent pool that can feed into the elite sporting pipeline.
Crucially, the talent identification and development process must be overhauled to ensure that the most promising young athletes are identified, nurtured, and given the support they need to reach their full potential. This will necessitate the establishment of specialized sports academies, the deployment of advanced scouting and analytical tools, and the recruitment of world-class coaches and sports scientists. Additionally, measures must be taken to retain top talent, including the provision of lucrative professional opportunities and strong support systems for athletes.
At the elite level, the focus must shift towards creating an environment that enables Nigerian athletes to thrive on the world stage. This means investing in state-of-the-art training facilities, providing comprehensive sports medicine and sports science services, and ensuring that coaches and support staff are equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques. Rigorous, evidence-based training programmes must replace the often haphazard and outdated approaches that have hampered Nigerian athletes in the past.
We do not adequately prepare for the Olympics. With our usual fire brigade approach to international sporting events, we will always perform woefully. The governance and administration of Nigerian sports must undergo a radical transformation. Transparency, accountability, and meritocracy must be the guiding principles, replacing the cronyism, nepotism, and political interference that have long plagued the system. The establishment of an independent, professionally-managed sports commission, with clear lines of authority and decision-making, will be crucial in driving this change.
Crucially, the federal government must demonstrate commitment to this sports revolution, providing the necessary funding, political support, and policy frameworks to ensure its success. The days of sporadic, reactive investments in sports must give way to a sustained, long-term strategic approach that transcends political cycles and personal agendas.
By embracing this holistic, ambitious, and forward-looking strategy, Nigeria can position itself to become a genuine powerhouse in global sports. The potential is there – a youthful, vibrant population, a rich sporting heritage, and a deep well of untapped talent. What is needed now is the vision, the courage, and the unwavering determination to transform this potential into tangible, sustainable success.
Now, we should focus on the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. This is the time to commence its preparations. Paris Olympics has shown that investments in sports matter. Countries that have a solid roadmap and incentives for their athletes always perform better.
The journey will be arduous, the challenges formidable, but the rewards of getting it right are immense. A thriving, internationally competitive sports sector can bring pride and joy to the Nigerian people and also serve as a powerful catalyst for broader social and economic development. It is time for Nigeria to learn from the painful lessons of Paris, and to chart a new, exhilarating course towards sporting greatness.
