AFN Governance Under Fire as AIU Exposes Widespread Age-Verification Failures

Posted : 08 December 2025

Nigeria’s athletics administration has come under renewed scrutiny after the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) flagged what it described as alarming lapses in the country’s age-verification processes for the 2025 African U18 & U20 Championships in Abeokuta.

Rather than treating the matter as a routine compliance check, the AIU’s report paints a picture of deep administrative disorder within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

The integrity watchdog revealed that 16 of the 17 Nigerian athletes listed for the event had conflicting dates of birth across multiple official documents—an issue the AIU says points to systemic failures rather than isolated mistakes.

In its communication to the AFN, the AIU demanded verifiable proof of each athlete’s age, including passports, birth records, school files, and medical documentation. The federation must submit all materials before 16 January 2026, or face the prospect of a full-blown integrity investigation.

This is the second time in less than two years that the AFN leadership—under President Tonobok Okowa—has been confronted with allegations linked to age discrepancies. Critics argue that the recurrence signals an entrenched problem within the federation’s internal controls.

Secretary General Israel Inwang and Technical Director Gabriel Okon have been singled out for failing to enforce compliance standards, with stakeholders accusing the technical department of focusing more on competition logistics than governance or due diligence.

The controversy also echoes earlier issues under former Technical Director Samuel Onikeku, strengthening concerns that age-verification weaknesses have persisted across administrations.

The AIU’s report goes beyond flagging irregular paperwork; it suggests deliberate manipulation designed to secure competitive advantages in age-grade events. According to the global body, such practices erode trust, compromise the integrity of youth competitions, and cast doubt on Nigeria’s commitment to clean sport.

With the January deadline looming, the AFN faces a critical test of transparency. Failure to provide credible documentation could trigger sanctions and deepen the reputational challenges already confronting Nigerian athletics.

AFN Governance Under Fire as AIU Exposes Widespread Age-Verification Failures

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