Fasuba: ‘Nigeria is a country where officials can choose not to register athletes for an event without facing any consequences’

Former African 100m record holder and first African man to win the 60m title at the World indoor championships, Olusoji Fasuba, has lamented the culture of impunity in Nigeria where there are no consequences for actions taken.

Fasuba, in a Facebook post on Saturday, also called on John Enoh, the Federal Minister of Sports Development to live up to his vow of punishing those who failed to register Favour Ofili for the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

‘Nigeria is a country where officials can choose not to register athletes for an event without facing any consequences. To date, no names have been released, and we are still awaiting the minister’s promised investigation into the matter,’ said Fasuba, the first man to win the 100m event at the African Athletics Championships three times in a row.

The Athens 2004 Olympics 4x100m bronze medalist also lambasted athletics officials and lamented the quality of individuals that have been appointed to head the sports sector.

‘Instead of addressing their own shortcomings as board members and administrators, the focus has been on criticizing the athletes for alleged indiscipline. It is concerning that individuals with little to no experience in sports, and a track record of unsuccessful administrative efforts, have been appointed to lead sports yet again!!

‘This situation contributes to the unfortunate reality that Nigerian athletes often win medals for other nations rather than for their country of birth or heritage. The most troubling aspect is that the youth, who represent the future of Nigeria, are continually marginalized because the current leadership refuses to acknowledge their failures.

‘I hope that the minister will still honour his commitment to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable, rather than allowing this to become yet another unfulfilled promise,’ wrote the first Nigerian to break 9.90 in 100m.