Nigeria Targets World Championships Spots at World Relays in China, Unveils Star-Studded Team
The Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN),Samuel Onikeku has stated that one of Team Nigeria’s key goals at the upcoming World Relays in China is to secure qualification spots for some relay events at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
The AFN, on Wednesday, officially unveiled Nigeria’s squad for the World Relays, which will take place from May 10 to 11 in Guangzhou, China.
Leading the team are women’s 100m hurdles record holder Tobi Amusan and Paris 2024 Olympics 200m finalist Favour Ofili. The duo will compete in the women’s 4x100m relay, joined by Rosemary Chukwuma, Tiana Eyakpobeyan, Success Umukoro, and Jennifer Chukwuka Obi.
“We are participating in these four relays because those are the events we are able to challenge for. We just do not want to go and participate in world relays but to qualify for the world championships. These are the best events that we could compete for,” Onikeku explained, in comments shared by Sure 97.5FM.
The 2025 World Athletics Championships are scheduled for September 13 to 21 in Tokyo. So far, seven Nigerian athletes have already qualified for eight individual events at the competition. These include Amusan (women’s 100m hurdles), Ofili (women’s 200m), Ezekiel Nathaniel (men’s 400m and 400m hurdles), Samuel Ogazi (men’s 400m), Tima Godbless (women’s 200m), and Ella Onojuvwevwo (women’s 400m).
In addition to the women’s 4x100m relay, Nigeria will also compete in the men’s 4x100m, the 4x400m mixed relay, and the newly introduced 4x100m mixed relay — entering four of the six possible events at the World Relays.
Teams can qualify for the World Championships either by finishing among the top 14 in Guangzhou or by achieving a high global ranking before the qualification window closes.
The men’s 4x100m team features Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ashe, Karlington Anunagba, Folawiyo Olaoye, and Usheoritshe Itshekiri.
For the 4x400m mixed relay, Nigeria will field Chidi Okezie, Ifeanyin Ojeli, Samson Nathaniel, George Patience Okon, Praise Idamadudu, and Omolara Ogunmakinju.
The 4x100m mixed relay team will be chosen from a pool that includes Favour Ashe, Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ofili, and Success Umukoro.
Nigeria’s eligibility for these relay events stems from a combination of qualifying competitions — notably, performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics held at the Stade de France and standout showings during the African Games at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
