Dr Amos Adamu who hardly made public views since leaving the sports scene nearly a decade ago has broken his silence.

According to Inside The Games’ publication, the former Director-General of the Nigeria National Sports Commission (NSC), has expressed little surprise that Nigeria returned from the Paris 2024 Olympics without any medals. 

Adamu revealed he had anticipated the outcome, having previously warned about the potential failure before the event began in July.

 “The same fate can befall us at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in the US in 2028, because there is so far no concrete plan on the ground to change the narrative,” Adamu remarked.

Nigeria’s 19th appearance at the Olympic Games ended in disappointment, marked by controversies and a lack of medals, despite high expectations following Tokyo 2020, where Nigeria won two medals (silver and bronze). The 88 Nigerian athletes across 12 sports, supported by N9 billion in government funding, ultimately fell short of expectations, marking the country’s worst performance since London 2012.

Adamu recalled warning the then Minister, John Enoh, before the event that Nigeria’s athletes would not win medals, explaining, “Where would the medals have come from? They don’t buy medals at the Olympics. You plan and work for this over time.”

He noted the late release of training funds and the lack of proper planning, saying, “The athletes didn’t get money to train as at when due… Medals are not sold but won.” During his tenure, Adamu emphasised long-term athlete development, training abroad, and timely funding.

Adamu cautioned that unless decisive steps are taken, Nigeria might face a similar outcome in 2028, despite a larger budget. “Even with an increased budget now, there may be nothing to celebrate as achievement at the end of the 2028 Games if concrete steps were not taken immediately,” he said.

Nigeria has participated in every Summer Olympic Games since its debut in 1952, excluding the 1976 Montreal Games due to apartheid-related boycotts.

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The International Olympic Committee warned its stakeholders that accounts impersonating President Thomas Bach have been contacting members of the organisation to obtain sensitive information. 

The IOC reported that at least two fake WhatsApp and Telegram accounts, as well as emails, have been contacting high-ranking persons from various walks of life, including senior politicians and Olympic Movement officials. The campaign even uses a deep-faked voice purporting to be that of the IOC President, created using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The contacted persons are lured into sensitive conversations to gain unauthorised access to their systems. The unknown perpetrator has also tried to gain access to Bach’s sensitive data, by contacting him and impersonating a high-ranking politician. The attempt was not successful.

The campaign is wide-ranging and sophisticated, reaching out to an unknown number of high-ranking officials and the IOC asks everyone to be extremely vigilant if they are contacted. The IOC, its President and the Olympic Games were already part of a widespread disinformation and defamation campaign ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

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The President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Mustapha Ibaraf, confirmed at the Annual General Assembly of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) that he will double the scholarship budget for Nigerian athletes, strengthening their preparation for Los Angeles 2028.

During the event, held virtually, Ibaraf was represented by Jonathan Dyagas, Director of Finance for the ANOCA. In his message, he highlighted that this budgetary increase aims to boost African athletes and ensure stronger support on their path to the world’s greatest sporting event.

For his part, the President of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, emphasised the Nigerian government’s efforts to transform the country’s sports sector.

According to Dikko, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has implemented a professional approach to sports management, prioritising a sustainable economy based on development.

“The Government has initiated a shift from competition-focused strategies to development-driven strategies, with a commitment to grassroots sports and talent identification,” he explained.

Among the measures announced, Dikko highlighted the inclusion of specific budgetary provisions that will benefit the Nigerian Olympic Committee for the first time in years. This will allow, among other things, the construction of a permanent NOC headquarters in Abuja and support for preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Additionally, the government plans to establish a high-performance centre and improve the country’s sports infrastructure.

“With the Government’s promise to enhance infrastructure, including a high-performance centre and improved facilities, stakeholders across the sports community are urged to collaborate on this transformative vision,” stated Dikko.

The official emphasised that these initiatives aim not only to strengthen sports as an economic industry but also to reposition its role within Nigerian society. According to him, these plans will contribute to job creation and ensure a robust and thriving sports industry.

Meanwhile, Habu Ahmed Gumel, President of the NOC, said that the Annual General Assembly provided an opportunity to review the year’s activities, present an audited report of the committee, and unveil plans and programmes for the coming years. The future will focus on the Islamic Solidarity Games in October 2025 and the Youth Olympic Games, which will be held from 31 October to 13 November 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.

All these actions represent a significant step towards Nigeria’s sports development, which seeks to consolidate its position on the global Olympic stage.

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