Nigeria will no longer participate in the 2025 World Athletics Relays scheduled to take place in Guangzhou, China, due to visa issues affecting several team members.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) confirmed the development through Kola Daniel, media aide to Director General Bukola Olopade, in a statement on Thursday.
According to the NSC, the Chinese consulate in Nigeria refused to issue visas to seven U.S.-based Nigerian athletes, effectively derailing the country’s chances of competing.
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The commission attributed the consulate’s decision to “China’s strict policies towards the United States,” which indirectly impacted Nigeria’s team composition.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the NSC said, had fulfilled all obligations well ahead of time, with the competition budget approved as far back as February or March.
Eighteen athletes were initially named in Nigeria’s squad for the Relays, which are scheduled from May 10 to 12.
Among them was world record holder Tobi Amusan, who was expected to anchor the women’s 4x100m relay team.
Nigeria had planned to compete in four relay events: men’s, women’s, and mixed 4x100m, as well as the mixed 4x400m.
The competition serves as a key qualifying pathway for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Japan, with the top 14 countries in each event earning automatic qualification.
In response to the setback, the AFN has submitted a formal petition to World Athletics, requesting that Nigeria be granted automatic qualification for the championships, citing the visa complications as circumstances beyond their control.
