Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has lambasted the performance of Team Nigeria and its handlers at the just-concluded Paris Olympics, describing it as a national embarrassment.
The team’s dismal performance, which saw no medals won, has left many Nigerians questioning the wisdom of the huge financial investment made into the project.
In a scathing tweet, Obi lamented the country’s lack of progress, saying that even Jamaica, which spent less than 5% of what Nigeria spent on its contingents, won six medals. He expressed shock that Nigeria, with over 200 million people, could not win even a single medal.
Obi pointed out that Nigeria’s investment in the Olympics was almost twice the amount budgeted for the entire Ministry of Science and Technology for the year. He also highlighted the disparity in spending between Nigeria and Jamaica, with each Nigerian athlete costing about N136 million (around $85,000) compared to Jamaica’s $2300 per athlete.
The former presidential candidate also drew attention to the cases of Favour Ofili and Annette Echikunwoke, two Nigerian athletes who were wrongfully removed from the Olympic list and eventually switched allegiance to other countries. Obi questioned how such administrative recklessness could occur, citing instances of injured athletes being paid estacodes while others were not even fit to compete.
Obi called on the government to investigate the gross misconducts and ensure that those responsible do not have the opportunity to do so again. He urged Nigerians to build a nation of discipline and commitment to duty, where competence and capacity reign.
The outburst has sparked a national debate on the need for accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s sports administration. As the country continues to grapple with poor performances at international events, many are calling for a change in approach to ensure that Nigeria’s athletes are given the best possible support to succeed.
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