Nigerian Sports Community Reacts as Tobi Amusan Challenges National Team Kit Quality at World Championships
Olympic star Tobi Amusan’s recent criticism of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has put a spotlight on athlete welfare in Nigerian sports—an issue that fans and analysts across West Africa are debating with renewed passion.
On Friday night, Amusan voiced her frustration online, describing the “embarrassment” she felt while representing Nigeria at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. Using her Snapchat account, Amusan posted in pidgin English:
“This country will steadily embarrass you. Una come say make people nor switch allegiance? Una never ready!”
Her remarks sparked immediate debate: Amusan claimed that, unlike athletes from other nations who received full suitcases of branded kits, the Nigerian contingent received only “small nylon bags” containing two questionable competition outfits and no footwear—despite officials collecting shoe sizes in advance.
Frustrated by the situation, Amusan threatened to use her own training tights and shoes during competition.
Watch below for Amusan’s outburst, which has since gone viral across social platforms and WhatsApp groups nationwide.
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Local and Global Comparisons: Fans Draw Parallels
Her blunt assessment reignited long-held complaints over welfare and preparation for Nigerian athletes. Many fans on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook pointed to the recent case of Favour Ofili, a top Nigerian sprinter who switched allegiance to Turkey, as proof that frustration with national support is driving local talent overseas.
Social media users also began comparing Amusan’s experience to that of athletes from wealthier nations. The video below drew widespread attention, showing a US athlete proudly displaying her fully-stocked kit bag—a sharp visual contrast to what Amusan described.
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AFN Responds: “Nothing Wrong With The Kits”
In response, AFN President Tonobok Okowa has come forward to reject Amusan’s claims, calling them misleading. According to Okowa, the sportswear company Hiracer provided all national teams, including Nigeria, with free kits. He stated that Amusan’s video showed only one part of her allocation.
“There is nothing wrong with those kits. Tobi Amusan only brought out one pack out of the pack that she was given. The items came in batches, so they were told that the following day they would receive the rest of the kits. She just brought out only that one kit and displayed it to the world,” Okowa explained to reporters on Sunday.
He further insisted that Nigerian athletes were not left out or given substandard gear compared to other Hiracer-supported countries.
“They even received spike shoes. They received covers made by the same company. And this company gave us all these things free of charge. We did not pay one naira to them,” Okowa emphasized.
Travel Bags Missing, but Bonuses Promised
Okowa did, however, admit that athletes did not receive travel bags from the kit partner. He explained that World Athletics (the global body overseeing the championships) provided bags to all competitors as part of their own package.
As an incentive, Okowa revealed that Hiracer promised podium bonuses for successful athletes. The breakdown is as follows:
- Gold medal: $30,000
- Silver medal: $20,000
- Bronze medal: $10,000
“So they should concentrate, work hard and try to win, and then they will win their money,” Okowa added, urging athletes to focus on their competitions.
He also disclosed that these bonus details were shared with the team during a meeting in Tokyo on September 11.
The Question of Preferential Treatment
Amidst the controversy, Okowa alleged that Amusan actually received special treatment on her way to Tokyo, being the only Nigerian athlete flown business class rather than economy. He told journalists:
“All other athletes came on economy class, but Tobi alone flew business class. We got business class for her because that was what she demanded, that we must buy her business class.”
Okowa further clarified that this was Amusan’s only special request; she did not ask for any additional privileges.
Hiracer, in its own statement, confirmed it supplied the same kits to 20 countries at the World Championships, including Nigeria, Algeria, Zambia, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, and Myanmar, reinforcing the AFN’s position that Nigeria was not uniquely disadvantaged.
Underlying Tensions: Athlete Support and National Pride
The exchange between Amusan and the AFN is just the latest flashpoint in a long-running debate over how Nigerian sports authorities treat their athletes on the global stage. From travel conditions to kit quality and financial incentives, these issues have real effects on national pride and the development of sporting talent across West Africa.
Amusan, who set a world record in the 100m hurdles and won gold at the 2022 World Championships, has consistently spoken up about the challenges facing Nigerian athletes, encouraging greater transparency and professionalism in team management.
Addressing these concerns, Okowa made a direct appeal to the athletes, saying: “We need them to concentrate, shun all distractions, and focus on their competitions.”
Broader Implications for Nigerian and African Athletics
This controversy is sparking conversations not just in Nigeria, but across Ghana and West Africa. Many are asking how national federations can better support athletes and prevent talent drain to other countries. The challenge of providing adequate resources, training, and travel support remains a hurdle for many African nations aiming for sporting excellence.
With Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, observers are watching closely to see if lessons will be learned from this episode—or if the debate will resurface on an even bigger stage. For now, the call for accountability and investment in “Team Nigeria” remains loud and clear from both athletes and fans alike.
What do you think about these ongoing issues between athletes and sports federations in Nigeria? Should star athletes like Tobi Amusan expect more from their national bodies, or is this a wider African sporting challenge? Share your opinions in the comments and keep following us for future updates.
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