The 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo are poised to be a significant event for Nigerian athletics, with seven athletes already qualified across eight events. These athletes represent Nigeria’s hopes for a return to the podium after a medal drought at the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Tokyo, hosting the Championships for the second time after 1991, will witness over 2,000 athletes from approximately 200 countries vying for global supremacy. For Nigeria, the focus will be on securing the nation’s first medal since Tobi Amusan’s historic gold in the 100m hurdles at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon.
Leading the Nigerian contingent is Amusan herself, the reigning world record holder in the 100m hurdles. Having already secured her spot with a blistering 12.49 seconds at the Paris Olympics, well under the qualifying standard, she is a strong contender to repeat her gold medal performance. Amusan’s early qualification allows ample time for focused preparation and solidifies her position as a key figure in Nigeria’s pursuit of glory. Her experience and dominance in the event make her a force to be reckoned with.
Favour Ofili, a rising star in Nigerian athletics, has qualified for the 200m event. Her impressive 22.05 seconds at the Paris Olympics, significantly faster than the qualifying mark, confirms her status as a medal hopeful. Ofili’s steady improvement and Commonwealth Games silver medal demonstrate her potential to challenge the world’s best. Following her unfortunate omission from the 100m event at the Olympics due to administrative errors, she will be doubly motivated to excel in Tokyo.
Ezekiel Nathaniel’s qualification in both the 400m hurdles and the 400m flat race showcases his remarkable versatility. His times of 48.38 seconds in the hurdles and 44.74 seconds in the flat race, both achieved at major competitions, underscore his exceptional talent. Nathaniel’s ability to compete at the highest level in two demanding events makes him a unique asset to the Nigerian team and a thrilling athlete to follow.
Samuel Ogazi and Ella Onojuvwevwo will represent Nigeria in the men’s and women’s 400m races, respectively. Ogazi’s impressive 44.41 seconds in Paris and Onojuvwevwo’s 50.59 seconds demonstrate their competitive edge. Their qualifications add depth to Nigeria’s sprinting contingent, with both athletes aiming to make a significant impact in Tokyo. Their consistent performances throughout the qualifying period suggest they are prepared to face the global competition.
Tima Godbless and Kayinsola Ajayi complete the lineup of qualified Nigerian athletes. Godbless secured her spot in the 200m with a time of 22.55 seconds, narrowly surpassing the qualifying standard, while Ajayi impressed in the 100m with a personal best of 9.96 seconds. Their late qualifications highlight their determination and inject fresh energy into the Nigerian team. Both athletes will be seeking to capitalize on their momentum and achieve personal bests at the Championships.
Beyond the individual events, Nigeria’s relay teams are also vying for qualification. The teams can secure their spots by finishing among the top 14 at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou or by achieving a high ranking based on their performances throughout the qualifying period. The relay races represent a crucial opportunity for Nigeria to add to their medal tally and showcase the nation’s collective strength in track and field. The qualification process for the relays relies on performances in competitions adhering to World Athletics rules and featuring at least two international teams representing different countries. In case of ties, the results are differentiated by thousandths of a second, prioritizing performances from the World Relays. Nigeria’s men’s, women’s, and mixed relay teams will be striving to secure their places in Tokyo through this process, further bolstering the country’s representation at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
