Inwang Removed as AFN Secretary General as NSC Restructures Federation Secretariats

Israel Inwang has been removed as Secretary General of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, with Olubunmi Oluode taking over the position as the National Sports Commission, NSC, intensifies its restructuring of sports federation secretariats.

The change at the AFN is part of a wider administrative shake-up by the Commission aimed at repositioning the secretariats of national sports federations.

Oluode will now oversee the day-to-day administration of the AFN, bringing an end to Inwang’s tenure as the federation’s administrative head.

Inwang’s period at the secretariat coincided with a number of administrative setbacks that attracted criticism within Nigerian athletics.

One of the most significant came at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships, where Nigeria failed to compete in the mixed 4x100m relay despite having qualified for the event at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana.

Nigeria had secured automatic qualification as one of the top six teams at the World Relays but ultimately missed the Budapest championship after three members of the selected quartet could not secure visas. AFN President Tonobok Okowa acknowledged at the time that the federation’s visa application had been made late.

The failure meant Nigeria forfeited an opportunity to compete in the inaugural mixed 4x100m relay at the Ultimate Championships after earning its place on merit at the World Relays.

There were also complaints surrounding the administration of Team Nigeria at the 2026 World U20 Championships in Oregon, including allegations concerning the provision of incorrect footwear to athletes.

The period was also marked by complaints about the relationship between the AFN secretariat and some members of the federation’s board, with concerns raised in some quarters about the way the secretariat interacted with the board.

The setbacks added to concerns about the administration of the federation during the period.

Inwang was appointed AFN secretary following the removal of Rita Mosindi, whose tenure came under intense scrutiny over the controversy surrounding Favour Ofili’s failure to compete in the women’s 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

His appointment was initially seen in some quarters as an opportunity for a fresh start at the AFN secretariat.

His removal now hands Oluode responsibility for the AFN secretariat as Nigerian athletics prepares for another busy international calendar.

There are also reports that Inwang could be redeployed to the proposed Padel Sports Federation of Nigeria to help establish the administrative structure of the new federation.

The NSC has yet to officially confirm the reported Padel assignment.