Pressure mounts to oust Okon as AFN technical director, Onikeku tipped for return
The crisis within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria has taken a bizarre twist as plans are reportedly at an advanced stage to remove Gabriel Okon as technical director, only to bring back Samuel Onikeku, a man previously indicted for the same offence.
Okon is under immense pressure after the Athletics Integrity Unit exposed 17 Nigerian athletes with multiple birth dates, 16 of whom competed at the African U18 and U20 Championships in Abeokuta last May.
Stakeholders say he should not remain a day longer in his role, yet the name being tipped to replace him is one who was in charge when the AIU fist queried Nigeria over the same issue.
Onikeku, a Customs officer, was technical director when Nigeria was first accused of age manipulation in 2024. Worse still, he was heavily criticized by a ministerial investigative committee after the Paris 2024 Olympics for failing to act on information that his own athlete, Favour Ofili, had not been registered for the women’s 100 meters.
The committee concluded that his poor judgment cost Nigeria dearly and recommended he be sanctioned. Yet, despite this damning record, he is now being considered for a return.
The scandal deepens with the revelation that another Customs officer, Comfort Aniete James, is among the athletes accused of using multiple birth dates.
This points to systemic failure within the Nigeria Customs Service itself, which has not ensured its officers remain above board.
Stakeholders are outraged that someone who should never have been on the AFN board is being lined up for reinstatement, while the federation itself is under direct scrutiny from the Athletics Integrity Unit.
Even AFN President Tonobok Okowa and Secretary-General Israel Inwang, who were directly addressed in the AIU’s December 2, 2025 letter, are not spared from possible punishment.
The entire situation reeks of negligence, complicity, and a federation incapable of reform. Instead of cleaning house, the AFN appears ready to recycle failed officials, dragging Nigerian athletics deeper into shame.
