The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has confirmed that Team Nigeria will compete in four out of the six events at the 2025 World Athletics Relays, scheduled to hold in Guangzhou, China, from May 10 to 11.
Nigeria will be represented in the men’s 4×100 metres, women’s 4×100 metres, the 4×400 metres mixed relay, and the newly introduced 4×100 metres mixed relay.
According to the AFN, the men’s 4×100 metres squad includes Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ashe, Karlington Anunagba, Folawiyo Olaoye, and Usheoritshe Itshekiri. For the women’s 4×100 metres team, the selected athletes are Rosemary Chukwuma, Success Umukoro, Tiana Eyakpobeyan, Favour Ofili, Jennifer Obi, and 100 metres hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan.
In the 4×400 metres mixed relay, Nigeria’s lineup features Chidi Okezie, Emmanuel Ojeli, Samson Nathaniel, Patience Okon, Praise Idamadudu, and Omolara Ogunmakinju.
The 4×100 metres mixed relay team will be selected from a pool comprising Favour Ashe, Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ofili, and Success Umukoro.
Team Nigeria secured its slots for these events through a combination of qualification routes, including strong performances during the 2024 Paris Olympics trials at Stade de France and the 2024 African Games held at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
AFN Secretary, Israel Inwang Mfon, explained that the decision to enter only four events was strategic and based on Nigeria’s strongest medal prospects.
“In fielding the four events, the federation had to place a premium on areas of comparative advantage and medal prospects,” Mfon said.
The 2025 edition marks the seventh installment of the World Athletics Relays and the first time the event will be hosted in China. Notably, this year’s meet will see the global debut of the 4×100 metres mixed relay, which will be run in a woman-woman-man-man format.
World Athletics will begin officially recognizing records in the new event starting January 1, 2026. Performances at this year’s relays will help set the benchmarks. The event is also scheduled to feature at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest in 2026.
Each participating country can register one team per event, with a maximum of eight athletes on each team. Four athletes will be selected to run on race day, offering teams strategic flexibility in athlete selection.
