Age cheating sanctions hits AFN: Nigeria faces World Athletics ban over systemic violations

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and some athletes are facing significant sanctions from World Athletics for repeated failures to verify the ages of competitors, a direct violation of eligibility Rule 3.3.

According to the rule, if an athlete is found to have competed while ineligible, both the individual and their team face disqualification. This includes the forfeiture of all medals, titles, points, and prize money. When such breaches become systemic, the penalties can escalate to include the suspension of the entire federation from international competitions, financial fines, and the loss of hosting rights.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has now flagged Nigeria for age discrepancies for the third time in under two years. The latest query, issued in a letter dated December 2, 2025, follows previous warnings and highlights a growing crisis within Nigerian athletics.

The first alert came on June 7, 2024, involving four athletes with multiple dates of birth. By early 2025, that number had swelled to 12. The most recent investigation has identified another 17 athletes, 16 of whom competed at the African U18 and U20 Championships in Abeokuta last May.

In response, the AIU has demanded that the AFN submit official documents—including passports, birth certificates, medical records, and school documents—to confirm the true ages of the athletes in question.

These recurring issues have cast a shadow over Nigeria's reputation on the global stage, with observers questioning the country's ability to enforce fundamental eligibility standards. There are growing concerns that Nigeria could be barred from future competitions if the AFN cannot provide credible documentation and resolve the issue.

As the threat of suspension looms over Nigerian athletics, there are now calls for President Bola Tinubu to intervene directly. Stakeholders are urging a presidential intervention to restore the nation's credibility, protect young athletes from exploitation, and prevent Nigeria's further isolation in the world of sports.