Nigerian sprinter Imaobong Uko has come forward with serious allegations regarding her recent two-year suspension, which she claims was unjust and the result of failures within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). Uko stated that the suspension was imposed due to her missing a mandatory drug testing requirement, but she insists that the real cause was a faulty online reporting system combined with negligence and lack of support from key federation officials.
In a comprehensive post shared on her Instagram account, Uko explained that her suspension was connected to her inability to submit her whereabouts information properly — a critical obligation for professional athletes subjected to anti-doping regulations. She described how technical issues repeatedly prevented her from completing the process and accused AFN officials of ignoring her numerous pleas for assistance during this period.
Uko wrote, “For months, I struggled with an online system meant to report my whereabouts.” She added that despite her constant efforts to get help from AFN officials, she was met with continuous excuses about network issues and told to be patient. She claims that many of her messages went completely unanswered during this critical time.
During her disciplinary hearing, Uko said she openly confronted AFN representatives, questioning why they neglected to provide the technical support she desperately needed. According to her, the officials responded vaguely, accusing her of incorrectly submitting her information — an accusation she firmly denied. She stressed that the failure was not on her part but rather due to technical flaws and administrative lapses.
Uko further revealed that she had reached out to specific individuals for help, naming Mbachi Louis and Mrs. Onos among those who allegedly ignored her messages. “Ironically, on the day of my hearing, she [Onos] contacted me through that same number but failed to respond when I initially sought help,” Uko lamented. She also mentioned Taldang, Assistant Secretary of the AFN, who she said promised to assist her but ultimately failed to do so when it mattered most.
She used her statement to highlight what she described as deep-rooted “corruption and negligence” within the AFN, urging other athletes to stand up against such systemic failures. “No one should have to suffer the consequences of a broken system,” she wrote passionately, calling for greater accountability, transparency, and better administrative processes within Nigerian athletics.
As of the time of this report, the AFN has yet to issue an official response addressing Uko’s claims or explaining their side of the incident. Her revelations have fueled broader discussions about mismanagement in Nigerian athletics and have brought renewed attention to the federation’s internal issues.
Uko’s allegations come amidst growing criticism of the AFN from other athletes as well. Notably, Nigerian sprinter and 150m world record holder, Favour Ofili, recently made headlines for switching her sporting allegiance to Turkey, just months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Ofili cited similar frustrations with the AFN’s administration and a pattern of negligence as her reasons for leaving.
Ofili had previously been excluded from the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics despite having qualified, and she also missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to what was described as paperwork errors by the federation. These incidents highlight a troubling pattern of administrative failures that have cost athletes valuable opportunities on the global stage.