Nigeria, often celebrated as the “Giant of Africa,” boasts a rich history at the Olympic Games. Since making its debut in 1952, the nation has accumulated a respectable tally of 25 medals, including 3 golds, 11 silvers, and 11 bronzes. However, in recent years, Nigeria’s performance at the Olympics has seen a concerning decline.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Nigeria secured only two medals—a silver in wrestling and a bronze in long jump. This was a stark contrast to the success of other African nations, such as Kenya, which clinched 10 medals, including 4 golds, highlighting the growing disparity.
The 2024 Paris Olympics has once again brought Nigeria’s sports investment into sharp focus. Despite sending 88 athletes across 12 sports, Nigeria returned home without a single medal, marking its worst Olympic performance since the 2012 London Games. This is the eighth time in history that Nigeria has failed to secure any medals at the Olympics, buttressing the urgent need to reevaluate the country’s approach to sports development and investment.
What happened in Paris?
Team Nigeria’s journey at the Paris Olympics concluded without fanfare when Hannah Reuben, competing in the women’s 76kg freestyle wrestling, was defeated by Mongolia’s Enkh-Amaryn Davaanasan in the round of 16, ending the country’s hopes of a medal in that event. This loss was symbolic of a broader trend of disappointment for Nigeria at the Games.
Many of Nigeria’s biggest medal hopefuls fell short of expectations. Tobi Amusan, who entered the competition as the world record holder in the women’s 100 meters hurdles, failed to even reach the final. Long jumper Ese Brume, who was among the favorites in her event, finished fifth, while Blessing Oborudlso also ended her competition without a place on the podium. Perhaps most glaring was the exclusion of Favour Ofili from the women’s 100 meters race despite the athlete qualifying, and the revelation by cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye that she had to borrow a track bike from the German team to participate in the Keirin cycling event.
Chasing gold without the gold
Nigeria’s minimal success at the Paris Olympics can be linked to the country’s underinvestment in sports, particularly in disciplines that require significant infrastructure, training, and support. One of the most glaring issues is the lack of investment at the grassroots level. The success of Nigeria’s footballers in the 1990s, for instance, can be traced back to a time when there was a more concerted effort to develop talent from a young age. Today, however, many young athletes lack access to proper training facilities, coaching, and competitive opportunities. This has led to a shrinking pool of talent that can compete at the highest levels.
Moreover, the few athletes who do manage to rise to prominence often do so through personal sacrifices or by seeking opportunities abroad. The case of Nigerian-born athletes representing other countries at the Olympics has become increasingly common, further depleting Nigeria’s talent pool.
The broader economic challenges facing Nigeria cannot be ignored when discussing sports investment. With a population of over 200 million and a growing youth demographic, Nigeria has the potential to be a sports powerhouse. However, the country’s GDP per capita remains low, and the government’s budget allocation to sports is often dwarfed by other pressing needs such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. In 2022, the budget for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development was approximately ₦181 billion (around $437 million). While this may seem substantial, when spread across the vast needs of youth development and sports, it quickly becomes apparent that it is insufficient.
The correlation between sports investment and Olympic success is well-established. Countries that consistently perform well at the Olympics, such as the United States, China, and Great Britain, have robust sports infrastructures backed by significant financial and governmental support. For comparison, the United Kingdom invested over £350 million (approximately $448 million) in its Olympic program for the Tokyo 2020 Games alone.
To reverse Nigeria’s declining Olympic fortunes, a complete overhaul of its sports investment strategy is essential. A key starting point is the revival of grassroots sports programs that actively identify and nurture young talent. Schools, universities, and local sports clubs should be integrated into a cohesive, nationwide effort to build a robust foundation for the next generation of athletes.
Public-private partnerships will be crucial in driving this transformation. This the were tech industry could also play a role. E-sports and digital engagement platforms already captures how rapidly, the sports market is growing, backed by more than 60% under the age of 25 passionate about sports. The market is currently valued at $2.14 billion and is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.62%. These type of partnerships can provide the necessary funding for training programs, international competitions, and athlete welfare, ensuring that Nigeria’s sports sector is not solely reliant on government funding, which is often inconsistent and insufficient.
According to a report from the Borgen Project, sports has the potential to reduce poverty in Nigeria. The industry contributed 0.31% and 0.33% to Nigeria’s GDP in 2020 and 2022. The sports industry is expected to show an annual growth rate of -3.34%, resulting in a projected market volume of $1.35m by 2029. Inherently, the 2024 Paris Olympics was a wake-up call for Nigeria’s sports authorities.
