In a recurring tale of lost potential, mismanagement, and bureaucratic failure, several world-class athletes of Nigerian descent have found international glory, not under the Nigerian flag, but for other nations.
From Olympic podiums to world records, the journeys of these Nigerian-born athletes speak of personal triumph shadowed by institutional neglect, particularly at the hands of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
These athletes dumped Nigeria to represent other nations, not out of a lack of patriotism, but due to repeated institutional failures.
From neglected medical needs to unprocessed funding and administrative chaos, their stories form a mosaic of frustration that haunts Nigerian athletics.
With Nigerian-born athletes succeeding abroad, the question remains: When will Nigeria stop losing its champions to other flags, as 22-year-old sprinter and world record holder, Favour Ofili, is reportedly on the verge of dumping the country for Turkey?
Below are the top Nigerian-born athletes who dumped Nigeria For Other countries
Annette Echikunwoke: From Nigerian Setback to U.S. Olympic Silver
Annette Echikunwoke made history at the 2024 Olympics, becoming the first American woman to win a medal in the hammer throw. But her path to the podium was shaped by disappointment.
Echikunwoke had initially pledged her allegiance to Nigeria ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However, AFN’s failure to arrange mandatory drug testing, despite her providing her location six times, led to her disqualification, along with nine other athletes.
That heartbreak led her to switch to Team USA. She now holds the African hammer throw record (75.49m), earned during her time in Nigeria, and is a former NCAA champion from the University of Cincinnati.
Salwa Eid Naser: From Onitsha to Bahrain Glory
Born Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu in Onitsha, Salwa Eid Naser became the 2019 World 400m Champion with the third-fastest time in history, 48.14 seconds.
After switching allegiance to Bahrain at age 16, she changed her name and converted to Islam. Her transition has been marked by tremendous success, including medals at the World Championships in both individual and relay events.
Naser has kept silent about her relationship with the AFN, but her move reflects the growing trend of Nigerian athletes seeking support systems abroad.
Femi Ogunode: Asia’s Sprint King from Ondo
Femi Ogunode was once Nigeria’s sprinting prodigy, but repeated AFN snubs, including unexplained omissions from the 2007 All-Africa Games and 2008 Olympics rosters, forced him to look elsewhere.
In 2009, he moved to Qatar. There, he became Asia’s fastest man, with a 100m time of 9.91 seconds, and won double gold at the Asian Games in both 2010 and 2014.
His success serves as both a personal victory and a glaring indictment of Nigeria’s talent mismanagement.
Francis Obikwelu: European Sprint Legend Forged in Nigerian Frustration
Francis Obikwelu is one of Europe’s most decorated sprinters, but his story began in Nigeria, and nearly ended in disappointment.
After being forced to run through injury at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and facing unaccountable financial neglect, Obikwelu made the difficult decision to switch allegiance to Portugal.
In 2004, he won Olympic silver in the 100m, setting a European record of 9.86 seconds that stood for 17 years. Though he has forgiven those who wronged him, he once said, “You can see the frustration I went through.”
Glory Alozie: A Legacy Tainted by Regret
Glory Alozie’s switch to Spain in 2001 was initially chalked up to youthful exuberance and peer influence.
However, she went on to win European gold and World Indoor silver medals, setting records that once belonged to Africa.
Years later, Alozie expressed deep regret over her decision, stating, “I am not happy that I dumped Nigeria for Spain. I didn’t really know the implication of that action until much later.”
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