Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has strongly criticized the Federal Ministry of Sports for Team Nigeria’s dismal performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the country failed to secure a single medal.
Obi’s comments came in a series of posts on his X page, expressing frustration over the team’s inability to achieve results despite substantial financial investment.
Obi demanded that the sports ministry conduct a thorough investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the athletes’ disappointing showing. His remarks highlighted the stark contrast between Nigeria’s significant expenditure and the lack of success compared to other nations.
The former Anambra State governor noted that Nigeria’s performance in Paris was a repeat of the 2012 London Olympics, where the country also returned without medals. He pointed out that despite featuring 88 athletes across 12 sports and investing approximately N12 billion—almost twice the budget for the Ministry of Science and Technology—Nigeria’s team came away empty-handed. In contrast, Jamaica, with a fraction of Nigeria’s spending, won six medals.
Obi criticized the apparent administrative failures, stating, “I call on the government to investigate these gross misconducts and make sure that those responsible do not have the opportunity to do so again.” He decried the ongoing “rascality and recklessness” in leadership, which he believes tarnishes Nigeria’s international reputation.
Obi also cited specific cases of mishandling, including Favour Ofili, a sprinter whose name was reportedly removed from the list for the 100m race, and Annette Echikunwoke, a former Nigerian hammer thrower who switched allegiance to the United States and won a medal. He accused some officials of wasting resources, alleging that injured athletes and unnecessary personnel were in Paris receiving allowances while the actual competitors suffered from poor support.
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
