Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has issued an apology to Nigerians for the disappointing performance of the Nigerian team at the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympic Games in Paris.
Despite the ₦12 billion approved by President Bola Tinubu for the Olympics and Paralympics—₦9 billion of which was allocated to the Olympics—Nigeria finished the Games without securing a single medal.
In a statement released on Sunday, Enoh acknowledged that the team had not met the expectations of the nation. “The Olympic Games, Paris 2024, have ended, and I accept that our performance should have been much better. It fell short of our objectives, expectations, and the hopes of Nigerians,” he said.
Enoh highlighted the challenges he faced upon taking office in August 2023, including the need to prepare for four major international competitions—AFCON, the African Games, the Olympics, and the Paralympics—with less than a year to go. He admitted that preparations for the Olympics had not started when he assumed his role, which posed a significant challenge.
Despite the obstacles, Enoh and his team made efforts to prepare the athletes and coaches, setting a goal to match or exceed Nigeria’s historic performance at the 1996 Atlanta Games. The Ministry implemented onshore and offshore training camps, including facilities in Germany and Spain, and ensured that all necessary resources, including early payment of allowances and training grants, were provided.
However, Enoh expressed puzzlement over the team’s lackluster performance, despite the support and resources provided. “The underwhelming performance of our team is puzzling. We owe Nigerians an explanation,” he stated.
The Minister announced that a comprehensive review of the team’s preparation and performance would be conducted, including evaluating athletes’ readiness, injury history, and the role of coaches and administrative staff. He emphasized that lessons must be learned to improve future outcomes, aiming to turn the disappointing results of the 2024 Olympics into a positive turning point for Nigerian sports.
