Nigeria is notably missing from all relay events at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. This absence has surprised many fans, given the country’s strong relay traditions. Verified reports show that the issue is not mere oversight but a mix of qualification shortfalls and administrative breakdowns.

Read more: Why Nigeria Was Absent From the Relay Events at the 2025 World Athletics Championships

Relays such as the men’s and women’s 4×100m, 4×400m, and mixed 4×400m demand strict compliance with World Athletics’ qualification criteria. It is not enough to say you want to participate. Teams must record fast times in sanctioned international meets and compete in major relay events like the World Athletics Relays, which provide automatic qualification spots.

How Nigeria Fell Short

Nigeria’s relay teams did not meet the performance benchmarks during the qualification window. The squads failed to put up fast enough official times in recognised races around the world.

Another major factor is that Nigeria did not send teams to the World Athletics Relays, which typically give countries a chance to grab automatic slots for the World Championships.

Administrative issues also played a role. Late visa applications and delays prevented some athletes, especially those based overseas, from taking part in qualifying events.

This situation has led to criticism of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). Former Olympic champion Enefiok Udo Obong criticised the AFN leadership for mismanaging relay qualification for Tokyo by neglecting to arrange for early visa approval and failing to use home based athletes to fill gaps.