Nigeria will not participate in the 2025 World Athletics Relays scheduled to take place from May 10 to 12 in Guangzhou, China, due to visa denials.
According to Kola Daniel, media aide to Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Chinese consulate in Nigeria refused to issue visas to seven US-based Nigerian athletes.
Daniel stated that the refusal was linked to China’s “hard policies against the USA.” The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had reportedly completed all necessary documentation and secured funds for the competition as early as February or March.
AFN had named an 18-member team for the event, including Tobi Amusan, world record holder in the 100m hurdles, who was listed for the women’s 4x100m relay. Team Nigeria was scheduled to compete in four events: men’s, women’s and mixed 4x100m, as well as the mixed 4x400m.
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The top 14 countries in each event at the World Relays would earn automatic qualification for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Japan. In response to the visa denial, the AFN has sent a petition to World Athletics, requesting Nigeria be granted direct qualification.#Chinese Consulate
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