Nigerian Athletes Who Switched Nationality to Find Success Abroad
Several Nigerian athletes have switched nationalities due to frustrations with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). Among them, notable names like Annette Echikunwoke, Salwa Eid Naser, and Femi Ogunode have gone on to achieve significant accomplishments while representing other countries. Their stories shed light on the struggles within Nigerian athletics and the motivations behind their allegiance changes.
In recent years, several Nigerian track and field athletes have sought opportunities abroad, switching nationalities after experiencing frustration with their home country’s athletics federation. As Favour Ofili’s possible affiliation with Turkey arises, it is noteworthy to highlight a few athletes who made similar moves, ultimately finding success representing other nations on the global sports stage.
One such athlete, Annette Echikunwoke, a hammer thrower, made history at the 2024 Olympics by winning silver and becoming the first American woman to medal in that category. Originally holding the African record with a throw of 75.49m while competing for Nigeria, Echikunwoke’s pathway to success was marred by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). She was disqualified from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to the federation’s negligence in administering drug tests. Following that debacle and her repeated attempts to comply with the testing protocols, she opted to represent the United States.
Another notable athlete is Salwa Eid Naser, who was born Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu. The sprinter has an impressive resume, being the 2019 World 400m champion with a remarkable personal best of 48.14 seconds, making her the third fastest in history. Naser switched her allegiance to Bahrain at just 16 years old, also converting to Islam and adopting a new name. Reflecting on her transition in 2017, she remarked that the past years had provided her with a “great transition,” yet she refrained from discussing her experiences with the AFN.
Femi Ogunode, who represented Qatar, also faced challenges with the AFN after being excluded from both the 2007 All-Africa Games and 2008 Olympics, despite having qualified. This disappointment led him to accept Qatar’s offer to compete internationally. Known for holding the Asian 100m record and being a two-time double Asian Games champion, Ogunode has enjoyed a successful career, all stemming from his bold decision to switch.
Francis Obikwelu, a standout sprinter, made waves when he won the Olympic silver in the 100m at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He holds a European record that lasted nearly 17 years. However, his success was born from a decision to switch nationalities, a choice influenced by the AFN’s treatment of him during the Sydney 2000 Olympics. “I went to AFN and was told that money had been approved for me, but they didn’t know where the money was,” Obikwelu explained, shedding light on his frustrations with the Nigerian athletics body.
Glory Alozie, a former world-class hurdler, also chose to represent Spain after competing for Nigeria. Alozie, who won gold at the 2002 European Championships, later expressed regret over her decision, saying, “I am not happy that I dumped Nigeria for Spain. I didn’t really know the implication of that action until much later.” Her statement reflects a deep familiarity with the conflicting emotions these athletes experience when switching nations.
Daniel Igali is another example worth mentioning. He achieved Canada’s only Olympic gold in men’s wrestling at the 2000 Sydney Games after moving from Nigeria. Initially coming to Canada as the captain of Nigeria’s wrestling team for a Commonwealth event, he later sought refugee status due to unrest back home. Eventually becoming a Canadian citizen, Igali not only gained athletic success but also took on a role in enhancing Nigerian wrestling when he returned to serve as president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation.
Lastly, Florence Ekpo-Umoh, a 400m sprinter, found success for Germany after switching from Nigeria in 1995. Her remarkable track record includes European Championship gold and World Championship silver. She cited a desire for a promising career as a reason for her switch, stating, “I switched allegiance to Germany because I had this feeling that if I stayed one more year in Nigeria, my career would end.”
Despite their successes, the journeys of these athletes underscore a painful reality for many—ambitions hindered by institutional shortcomings.
The circumstances leading Nigerian athletes to switch their nationalities highlight persistent frustrations with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. Athletes such as Annette Echikunwoke, Salwa Eid Naser, and Femi Ogunode have found success abroad but carry the weight of their initial grievances against the AFN. The stories of these athletes reveal a complex relationship with their identities and national allegiance, making their successes a bittersweet reflection of the challenges faced.
Original Source: punchng.com
