Nigeria’s 200m national record holder, Divine Oduduru, has called on fellow athletes to unite and confront the systemic issues affecting them, rather than fighting each other or supporting those he described as “oppressors.”
Oduduru’s comments came in response to the controversy surrounding sprinter Favour Ofili, who is reportedly considering boycotting the World Athletics Relays scheduled for next weekend in Guangzhou, China. Ofili’s name was allegedly omitted from Nigeria’s women’s 100m list for the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite her meeting all the requirements set by World Athletics and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
A source close to Ofili quoted her expressing frustration, saying recent events show that Nigerian athletics officials disregard athletes’ welfare. Her protest was further fuelled by the selection of some individuals for the trip to China, even though they were previously indicted by a panel investigating the Paris selections.
“This means we (athletes) don’t matter at all. This is very disheartening,” Ofili reportedly said.
While the athlete’s protest has drawn sympathy from many within the athletics community, others have questioned her decision to challenge the AFN publicly. However, Oduduru backed Ofili, urging athletes to stand in solidarity.
“Until the day Nigerian athletes will wake up and stand up for the right thing, nothing will change,” Oduduru posted on Facebook. “You all should keep on fighting yourself as athlete, forgetting the real problem. Coaches are busy condemning athlete for another athlete.”
Oduduru, who is the second-fastest Nigerian man in history, emphasized that collective action was essential for change and justice in Nigerian athletics.
