Nigeria’s athletics federation has been drawn into a public dispute after world hurdles record-holder Tobi Amusan criticised the quality and distribution of kits provided to athletes at the ongoing World Championships in Tokyo.
Amusan, a former world champion, posted a video on social media before the competition’s opening, expressing frustration over what she described as inadequate and poorly presented gear. She contrasted Nigeria’s arrangements with those of other nations, alleging that athletes were handed plastic bags with limited items instead of standard kit packages.
Her remarks sparked debate online and drew support from former African sprint champion Blessing Okagbare, who argued that concerns over kit distribution were not new and should not be dismissed.
“Those gears arrived and were in Tokyo in 2021, but they made sure the athletes did not get them. See, ehn, these people. Now you’re trying to condemn an athlete for stating the obvious. So what if you bought her a business class flight ticket??????????????????” Okagbare stated in a post on the social media platform X.
Those gears arrived and were in Tokyo in 2021, but they made sure the athletes did not get them.
See ehn, these people.
Now you’re trying to condemn an athlete for stating the obvious.
So what if you bought her a business class flight ticket??????????????????🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
— Blessing Okagbare MFR (@mountain214) September 13, 2025
In another post, Okagbare stated: “You know, in 2021, when we got the best sponsorship deal from a shoes company, those in power from the M.OC and FP, even one always acting as the federation president, while he wasn’t anymore, did all they could to [sabotage] it.”
You know, in 2021, when we got the best sponsorship deal from a shoes company, those in power from the M. OC and FP, even one always acting as the federation president, while he wasn’t anymore, did all they could to sorbortage it.#SAD
— Blessing Okagbare MFR (@mountain214) September 13, 2025
Okagbare’s reference to the ‘business class flight’ came about after the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), while rejecting Amusan’s claims, stated that she had flown business class to Tokyo. Its president, Tonobok Okowa, in an interview with Nigeria’s Punch newspapers, said athletes had been supplied with the full range of competition wear in line with the federation’s agreement with sportswear firm Hiracer, which is also sponsoring several other national teams in Tokyo.
He maintained that only travel bags were omitted, noting that World Athletics had already provided athletes with bags.
Okowa further stated that the kits were supplied at no cost to the federation and included footwear. He added that the company had pledged podium bonuses for medallists, ranging from $10,000 for bronze to $30,000 for gold.
The AFN president also acknowledged that Amusan had been flown business class to Tokyo, saying the decision was taken in recognition of her standing in the sport. He described the athlete’s criticism as surprising given the arrangements made.
The episode has highlighted long-running tensions between Nigeria’s top athletes and sports administrators, with repeated calls for improved welfare and professional standards in the country’s athletics management.
