Nigeria will not participate in the 2025 World Athletics Relays scheduled to take place in Guangzhou, China, following visa denials for seven US-based Nigerian athletes. The National Sports Commission (NSC) confirmed the development on Thursday, May 8, through Kola Daniel, media aide to Bukola Olopade, the NSC’s director general.

 

According to the statement, the Chinese consulate in Nigeria refused to issue visas to the athletes, a situation the NSC attributed to China’s strict policies toward the United States. The affected athletes, who were expected to form part of Nigeria’s relay teams, were unable to travel, effectively ruling the country out of the competition.

The NSC stressed that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) followed all necessary procedures and timelines for participation, with funding for the competition reportedly approved as far back as February and March. In April, the AFN unveiled an 18-athlete squad for the event, which included star hurdler and world record holder Tobi Amusan, who was slated to run in the women’s 4x100m relay.

 

Team Nigeria had been scheduled to compete in four relay events: the men’s and women’s 4x100m, as well as the mixed 4x100m and 4x400m. The relay competition serves as a qualifier for the World Athletics Championships in Japan later this year, with the top 14 teams in each event earning automatic qualification.

 

In response to the setback, the AFN has filed a petition to World Athletics, requesting that Nigeria be granted a free pass to qualify for the World Championships given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding their absence.