THE 2024 Paris Olympics will go down in history as a painful reminder of Nigeria’s declining sports fortunes. For the first time since the 2012 London Olympics, Team Nigeria, with its 88 athletes participating in 12 sports, left the Games without a single medal, despite the government’s approval of a nine billion naira budget for the event. This outcome is not just a national embarrassment but a critical indicator of the deep-seated issues plaguing Nigerian sports.

NIGERIA’S Olympic history, with a meager total of 27 medals since 1952, pales in comparison to the achievements of other African nations like Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia. Kenya, for instance, boasts 117 Olympic medals, while South Africa and Ethiopia have 89 and 58, respectively. These figures highlight Nigeria’s chronic underachievement in global sports.

THE Paris debacle has sparked widespread calls for the removal of the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, who apologized, on behalf of the Federal Government, to Nigerians for the dismal performance. However, the problem runs much deeper than a single minister’s performance. It is rooted in systemic issues that have plagued Nigerian sports for decades. Administrative inefficiency, lack of adequate preparation, and the prioritization of personal gain over national interest have all contributed to this failure.

FROM the outset, Nigeria’s participation in the Paris Games was marred by setbacks. Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilore was disqualified for doping-related offenses, setting the tone for what would be a disastrous outing. The Super Falcons, once the pride of African women’s football, lost all three group stage matches. In other sports, the story was equally dismal: Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the 100m hurdles, failed to qualify for the final; the men’s 4x400m relay team was disqualified for a lane infringement; and Ese Ukpeseraye had to compete in the Keirin cycling event without an approved track bike due to last-minute preparations.

ADDING salt to the wound, three athletes of Nigerian descent won medals for other countries. Yemisi Ogunleye secured a gold medal in Shot Put for Germany, Salwa EidNaser (formerly Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu) won silver in the 400m for Bahrain, and Annette Echikunwoke took silver in the women’s hammer throw for the United States. These athletes’ decisions to compete for other nations underscore Nigeria’s failure to nurture and retain its sporting talent.

YET, amidst the gloom, there were a few bright spots. The women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, became the first African team to advance to the Olympic quarterfinals, and six Nigerian athletes reached the finals in various events, offering a glimmer of hope for the future. However, these isolated successes cannot mask the larger failure.

THE time for excuses is over. Nigeria must embark on a comprehensive overhaul of its sports administration. First, the entire sports management system needs to be purged of corruption and inefficiency. For too long, officials have prioritized personal gain over the national interest, resulting in administrative failures that have cost the country dearly. The disqualification of athletes due to administrative blunders, as seen in Tokyo 2020 and repeated in Paris 2024, is unacceptable and must never happen again.

SECOND, there is an urgent need for modern training facilities and equipment. Nigerian athletes cannot be expected to compete at the highest level using substandard, outdated equipment. The government must invest in state-of-the-art sports facilities that meet international standards. This investment is not just about winning medals; it is about providing athletes with the tools they need to excel and represent the nation with pride.

FURTHERMORE, Nigeria must move away from last-minute preparations and embrace long-term athlete development programmes. Countries like Jamaica have become athletics powerhouses by investing in grassroots development and nurturing talent from a young age. Nigeria must adopt a similar approach, with a focus on identifying and developing talents well before the next Olympic cycle. The preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics must begin now, not tomorrow.Additionally, sports education and training should be integrated into the national curriculum to create a sustainable pipeline of talents. Partnerships with international sports bodies can also provide Nigerian athletes and coaches with the exposure and experience needed to compete globally.

FINALLY, the government must address the issue of athlete welfare. Nigerian athletes often face poor treatment, inadequate funding, and lack of support, leading many to switch nationalities in search of better opportunities. Ensuring that athletes are well-supported and fairly compensated will help retain talent and foster a sense of national pride.The Paris 2024 Olympics should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria. If the nation is to reclaim its place on the global sports stage, it must confront these issues head-on. Preparation for Los Angeles 2028 must not start tomorrow, it must start today.