Okon Escapes Sack as AFN Technical Director Despite Age Fraud Scandal

Gabriel Okon, the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), appears to have escaped disciplinary action following damning revelations from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

The AIU’s letter to the AFN disclosed that 17 Nigerian athletes, 16 of whom competed at the African U18 and U20 Championships in Abeokuta last May, were found to have multiple dates of birth.

This scandal mirrors a similar episode in 2024, when then-technical director Samuel Onikeku faced identical allegations. Just like then, Nigerians expected heads to roll. But once again, the federation has chosen silence over accountability.

At its board meeting on Sunday, the AFN failed to take any action. No communique has been issued, and the issue, initially treated as urgent, has quietly faded. The federation’s response amounts to a shrug, projecting an image of indifference to serious ethical violations.

AFN President Tonobok Okowa has shifted blame to coaches and athletes, ignoring the fact that these athletes were registered for competitions sanctioned not only by the Confederation of African Athletics and World Athletics, but also by the AFN itself. The responsibility for verifying athlete eligibility lies squarely with the federation.

World Athletics Eligibility Rules clearly states that member federations are responsible for ensuring that athletes meet eligibility requirements, including age verification, before registration.

In Rue 2 subsection 2 (22), ‘… the eligibility of an athlete competing shall be guaranteed by the Member to which the athlete is affiliated.’

By failing to do so, the AFN has breached international standards and exposed Nigeria to global embarrassment.

In any serious sporting nation, the AFN president and secretary general would have been asked to step aside pending a full investigation. The technical director, whose office at AFN, oversees athlete registration, should have been suspended or removed immediately.

The silence of the National Sports Commission is equally troubling. This is the same body that backed Okowa’s controversial return for a second term as AFN president, despite clear constitutional violations during the June 2025 election.

Now, in the face of damaging allegations, it has remained mute, while Nigeria’s reputation suffers.