AIU Confirms Lifetime Ban for Nigeria Athletics Coach Hameed Muritala
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), which has jurisdiction over international‑level athletes, their support personnel, World Athletics officials, and member federation officials in dealings with World Athletics, has confirmed a lifetime ban for Kwara State athletics coach Hameed Muritala.
Muritala was initially handed a 10-year suspension by Nigeria’s National Anti‑Doping Committee (NADC) after being found guilty of doping a minor athlete.
The AIU reportedly frowned at the leniency of the sanction given the nature of the violation. Following reports that Muritala, despite his suspension, was seen leading Kwara State athletes to the AFN Golden League in Benin City, the sanction was escalated to a lifetime ban.
The AIU publishes a consolidated list of all persons serving periods of ineligibility in athletics, including those sanctioned at the national level.
As at the end of March, several Nigerian athletes appeared on this list.
Rising sprinter Consider Ekanem was banned for four years following an infraction in December 2024, with his sanction running from 6 December 2024 until 19 January 2029, and his results disqualified between 6 December 2024 and 20 January 2025.
Johnson Chidera Nnamani received a two‑year suspension after a violation in May 2025, with his sanction running from 8 May 2025 until 6 July 2027, and his results disqualified between 8 May 2025 and 7 July 2025.
Blessing Solomon was handed a three‑year ban in December 2025, with his sanction running from 6 December 2025 until 4 February 2029, and his results disqualified between 6 December 2025 and 4 February 2029.
