Tunde Popoola, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), has emphasized that Nigeria’s medal prospects at the Paris Olympics predominantly rest on the nation’s female athletes, such as Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume.
Since making its Olympic debut in 1952, Nigeria has secured a total of 27 medals, with just two golds—both claimed during the 1996 Atlanta Games. That event marked Nigeria’s most successful Olympic outing, with Chioma Ajunwa winning gold in the women’s long jump and the football team, led by Kanu Nwankwo, defeating Argentina and Brazil to clinch gold.
Speaking in an interview with SportsBoom, Popoola highlighted the shift in Nigeria’s athletic success from men to women. “The men dominated previously, but this time, it’s all about the women. They qualified for the football event and almost every single event in athletics. It’s a good thing, and we appreciate their growth,” he said. He attributed the women’s success to their dedication, stating, “The women have done more because they are more committed. I’m not saying the men aren’t, but women are more dedicated, and that’s the reason they are doing well.”
Ajunwa’s gold in 1996 remains Nigeria’s only individual Olympic gold medal, underscoring the consistent outperformance of female athletes. This trend continued at the 2000 Sydney Games, where Gloria Alozie secured a silver medal in the women’s 110-metre hurdles, salvaging Nigeria’s presence on the podium.
At the most recent Tokyo Games, Team Nigeria won two medals, both from women: Brume, who claimed bronze in the women’s long jump, and Blessing Oborududu, who won silver in wrestling.
As the Paris Games approach, hopes are once again pinned on the women to bring home medals. Nigeria’s female athletes are world-class, while many of their male counterparts, particularly in athletics, lack experience. Taiwo Popoola, Vice President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, echoed these sentiments, attributing the women’s success to their dedication.
Elizabeth Anyanacho, another standout female athlete, is the only qualified taekwondoist for the Paris Olympics. She was also Nigeria’s sole representative in the sport at Tokyo 2022.
Nigeria’s medal hopes in Paris largely rest on the shoulders of athletes like Tobi Amusan, Brume, and wrestlers Oborududu and Odunayo Adekuruoye. Amusan, in particular, is a standout athlete. She set a world record time of 12.40 seconds in the women’s hurdles in Kingston, Jamaica, in May 2024. The three-time Diamond League winner, two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, two-time African champion, and three-time African Games gold medalist is poised for her much-anticipated Olympic glory.
Oborududu, who won a silver medal in the women’s freestyle 68 kg wrestling in Tokyo, is also a key contender. At 35, she aims to build on her success from Tokyo, where she made history as the first Nigerian wrestler to win an Olympic medal.
