Tension rises in Nigerian athletics as National athletics coach and AFN board member, Olalekan Soetan, sparked fresh debate within Nigeria’s sports system after openly questioning key decisions in the country’s sports administration.
In a strongly worded assessment, Soetan insisted that athlete development, especially at the youth level, must take precedence over the pursuit of titles at every competition, warning that misplaced priorities could hurt Nigeria’s long-term success on the global stage.
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Soetan did not hold back in his criticism of decision-makers, calling for administrators to step aside and allow technical experts to do their work.
“Most of them are just not fit for the job of sports administration.”
“We at the federation level know what we are doing, but let them let us do the work.”
“My priority is for our young athletes to feature at the African Championship.”
Olalekan exposed the growing frustration within athletics circles over what is perceived as misaligned priorities in planning and competition selection.
Do Not Focus on Only Titles – Olalekan Soetan
The AFN board member stressed that Nigeria’s top elite athletes, including long jump star Ese Brume and shot put powerhouse, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, should be targeting major global championships later in the year, rather than spreading themselves thin.
“Let those who will be ready compete at the Commonwealth Games.”
“There is Ultimate Championship towards the end of the year, which our elite of the elite in the world will compete.”
“That would be what Ese Brume and Chukwuebuka should be focusing on, but if they say they want to add more titles at the Commonwealth Games, so be it.”
According to Soetan, strategic planning, not medal chasing, is what will elevate Nigerian athletics internationally.
Youth Development Should Take Centre Stage
A major part of Soetan’s argument centred on nurturing the next generation, particularly with key competitions like the Youth Olympic Games on the horizon.
“So to me, let us focus on what will move us forward.”
“We have Youth Olympics this year.”
“Those who have qualified for Youth Olympics, how are we exposing them so that when they go to Youth Olympics, they will perform well.”
He emphasized the need for structured exposure, preparation, and international experience to ensure young Nigerian athletes are not just participants but genuine contenders.
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African Championships Over Everything?
Soetan further argued that competitions like the African Championships should take precedence, especially for home-based athletes looking to break through.
“We have competitions that matter more than these Commonwealth Games or whatever we’re planning for.”
“So my take is let us focus on who can be on ground to compete at the African Championship, which realistically the home-based athletes, especially the ones preparing for the U20 Championships in the US.”
His stance highlights a clear divide in philosophy:
- Elite stars → focus on global championships
- Emerging talents → gain exposure through continental events
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A call for Reset in Nigerian athletics
Soetan’s comments have added fuel to ongoing discussions about the direction of Nigerian athletics, particularly at a time when the country continues to produce world-class talents.
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With major events on the calendar, from the African Championships to the Youth Olympics and global competitions, Olalekan Soetan says Nigeria must prioritise long-term growth over short-term glory for, the future of Nigerian athletics to be stronger than ever.
