Despite missing the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has expressed optimism that Nigeria can still qualify for the relay events at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
Nigeria’s absence from the World Relays, a key qualification event, significantly dented its chances of competing in the men’s and women’s 4x100m, 4x400m mixed, and the newly introduced 4x100m mixed relay. The withdrawal was blamed on visa issues, with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), World Athletics, and the Chinese Embassy trading accusations over delayed processing and communication breakdown.
This was the second visa-related setback for Team Nigeria this year, following a near-total absence from the World Indoor Championships, also held in China in March.
However, Olopade remains hopeful. He revealed that the NSC and AFN are considering organising a relay qualification meet in Nigeria, possibly in July, to coincide with the African U-20 Championships in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“All is not lost for our athletes,” Olopade said. “We are looking at hosting a relay championship alongside the African U-20 event and inviting other countries that also missed out in China. This would give us a shot at qualification.”
According to World Athletics, 14 out of 16 slots in each relay discipline have been filled, leaving two remaining spots to be determined by the world’s fastest times posted between February 25, 2024, and August 24, 2025.
This gives Nigeria a narrow but viable opportunity to qualify, provided the nation can clock competitive times at officially sanctioned meets within the qualification window.
Confirmed nations for the relay events include powerhouses like the United States, Great Britain, Jamaica, and Germany, with Africa represented by Ghana, South Africa, Botswana, and Kenya.
While the road ahead is steep, Nigeria’s track stars still have a chance to secure a spot in Tokyo — if swift action and strategic planning follow.
