Tinubu Labels Nigeria’s Olympic Performance in Paris A ‘Disaster’
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has expressed disappointment and concern over Team Nigeria’s failure to secure a single medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, prompting calls for reforms to improve sports administration in the country.
In a statement released on his official X page on Saturday, Sports Minister John Enoh described the team’s performance as disappointing and emphasised the need for reforms to enhance effective leadership in the sports sector.
The minister said, “Team Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics where the country did not secure any medals does not entail being addressed just by our participation at the Olympics, but it is a product of very many other things that need immediate attention.
“This call for reform aims to enhance the leadership and effectiveness of Nigeria’s sports federations, paving the way for improved performance on the global stage.
“As we go back home we must do everything to prevent future occurrence of the Paris disaster and if this will entail the review of how people are elected to lead our sporting Federations, it will be done.
“The elections for the federations are by the corner, and it will be the perfect platform to get only those who are most eligible to lead the various sports federations.”
Nigeria’s high-rated athlete and world record holder, Tobi Amusan on Friday failed to qualify for the final of the 100m hurdles event in the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
This came shortly after four Nigerian athletes, Emmanuel Ojeli, Ezekiel Nathanial, Dubem Amene and Chidi Okezie were disqualified from participating in the final of men’s 4x400m for alleged violation of a rule of the competition.