Several Nigerian track and field athletes, including Annette Echikunwoke and Femi Ogunode, have switched their national allegiances due to frustrations with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, finding success abroad. This article explores their journeys and the reasons behind their decisions, highlighting systemic issues in Nigeria’s sports administration.
In the wake of recent developments surrounding athlete Favour Ofili, attention has turned to Nigerian track and field athletes who have switched their national allegiances and found success. Due to various frustrations and challenges within the Nigerian sports system, many athletes have taken the plunge to compete under different flags, bringing home numerous accolades.
Annette Echikunwoke – USA
Annette Echikunwoke is a name familiar to many now, especially after capturing a silver medal in hammer throw during the 2024 Olympics. She made history as the first American woman to achieve such a feat. Originally from Nigeria, she set the African record at 75.49 meters. Unfortunately, her hopes during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were dashed due to negligence by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), which failed to conduct required drug tests despite her notifications.
Born in Ohio to Nigerian parents, Echikunwoke’s allegiance shifted to the USA following the turmoil she faced in Tokyo. “It left me no choice but to pursue my dreams elsewhere,” she shared, reflecting on her difficult decision.
Salwa Eid Naser – Bahrain
Known as Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu before her transition, Salwa Eid Naser made waves as the 2019 World 400m champion. She achieved a stunning third-fastest time in history at 48.14 seconds. Salwa converted to Islam and adopted her new name after switching to Bahrain in 2014 at only 16 years old, aiming for more opportunities in her sporting career.
Her family moved from Nigeria to Bahrain when she was a teenager, and she has mentioned the positive impact that the shift provided. Reflecting on her transition, she said, “The past three years have been a great transition for me,” while remaining tight-lipped about her time with the AFN.
Femi Ogunode – Qatar
Femi Ogunode, who previously held the Asian 100m record, left Nigeria after being sidelined from key competitions without explanation. Born in Ondo City, Ogunode was perplexed at being omitted from the final rosters for both the 2007 All-Africa Games and the 2008 Olympics despite his qualifications. In 2009, he made the choice to represent Qatar and never looked back.
He went on to make history as a dual gold medalist at the Asian Games, becoming one of only two athletes to win both the 200m and 400m at the same event. His success has been a testament to the opportunities he found outside Nigeria.
Francis Obikwelu – Portugal
Olympic silver medalist Francis Obikwelu had stellar success as a sprinter but was pushed away from Nigeria due to AFN mismanagement during the 2000 Olympics. Dismissing Obikwelu’s injuries led to his decision to switch nationalities. “I had to go to Portugal. I bear no grudge against anyone and Nigeria still remains my country,” he stated, showcasing his complicated relationship with his former nation.
Glory Alozie – Spain
Sprinter Glory Alozie found herself drawn to Spain, taking a bold step in 2001 that she later expressed regret over. A successful hurdler with European titles to her name, Alozie indicated that the decision was driven by youthful pressure, stating, “I didn’t really know the implications of my actions at the time.”
Daniel Igali – Canada
Daniel Igali, Canada’s first Olympic wrestling gold medalist, defected while representing Nigeria in 1994. He had come to Canada for the Commonwealth Games and ultimately sought refuge due to political unrest back home. Achieving dual success, he later became a pivotal figure in Nigerian wrestling, giving back to the sport in his birth country after obtaining Canadian citizenship.
Florence Ekpo-Umoh – Germany
Florence Ekpo-Umoh switched her allegiance to Germany in 1995, after finding herself frustrated by her prospects in Nigeria. A talented 400m runner, Ekpo-Umoh found happier fortunes in Germany, winning titles including a European gold and a World silver. Sadly, her career faced a setback with a doping suspension, though her experience touted major insights about the state of Nigerian athletics. “Never, Nigeria is even worse now,” she remarked when asked if her children would represent Nigeria.
This journey highlights how structural issues in Nigeria’s athletic landscape continue to push talented athletes toward foreign countries, where they seek not just medals but also respect and opportunity. The stories of these athletes resonate—as they not only seek personal achievements but also reflect a systemic failure in nurturing homegrown talent.
The journey of Nigerian athletes who switched nationality underscores a troubling narrative about the country’s athletic management. Many, like Annette Echikunwoke and Femi Ogunode traveled abroad seeking opportunities that were denied to them back home. The recurring theme of frustration and disappointment ultimately led them to achieve global success while competing for other nations. These athletes’ experiences paint a picture of systemic issues within Nigerian sports administration, showcasing a need for reform to retain homegrown talent.
Original Source: punchng.com
