Nigeria will not participate in the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, after seven US-based Nigerian athletes were denied visas by the Chinese consulate. The National Sports Commission (NSC) confirmed this development on Thursday, May 8, through Kola Daniel, media aide to NSC Director General Bukola Olopade.
The statement revealed that the Chinese consulate in Nigeria refused to issue visas to the athletes, with the NSC attributing the denial to China’s strict policies regarding the United States. These athletes, who were part of Nigeria’s relay teams, are now unable to travel, effectively excluding the country from the competition.
The NSC clarified that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had complied with all necessary procedures and timelines for participation, with funding for the event approved as early as February and March. In April, the AFN announced an 18-athlete squad for the relays, which included star hurdler and world record holder Tobi Amusan, who was expected to run in the women’s 4x100m relay.
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Team Nigeria had been set to compete in four relay events: the men’s and women’s 4x100m, as well as the mixed 4x100m and 4x400m. These relays serve as a qualifier for the World Athletics Championships in Japan later this year, with the top 14 teams in each event earning automatic qualification.
In light of this setback, the AFN has submitted a petition to World Athletics, requesting that Nigeria be granted a free pass to qualify for the World Championships due to the exceptional circumstances surrounding their absence.
