AIU Hands Two-Year Ban to Nigeria’s Imaobong Nse Uko Over Whereabouts Failures
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has confirmed a two-year ban on Nigerian full lap runner and former World U20 400m champion, Imaobong Nse Uko, for committing three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period—a violation of anti-doping regulations.
Uko was provisionally suspended on July 7, 2024, and her ineligibility will run until July 23, 2026.
Nse Uko, who rose to prominence at just 14 years old by winning the 400m title at Nigeria’s National Sports Festival in 2018, cemented her status as a rising star by clinching gold in the 400m at the 2021 World U20 Championships. She also represented Nigeria in the mixed 4x400m relay at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Her third whereabouts failure occurred just before the 2024 Nigerian Championships, where she placed third in the 400m. Since then, she has not competed and was notably absent from the 2025 NCAA indoor and outdoor seasons, despite remaining on Baylor University’s roster.
This is not the first time a Nigerian athlete has faced sanctions for missed tests.
In the early 1990s, Nkechi Mbaoma and Nnamdi Anusim were penalized for evading doping controls, even before the current whereabouts system was formalized. More recently, Nigeria-born Bahraini sprinter Salwa Eid Naser received a two-year ban in 2020 for similar violations shortly after winning the world title in Doha.
The AIU did not disclose the specific circumstances surrounding Uko’s missed tests, but the case underscores the importance of compliance with anti-doping protocols, especially for young athletes navigating elite competition.
