Nigeria’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics is a glaring reflection of the nation’s ongoing struggle to convert its potential into tangible success.
Despite sending 88 athletes to compete in 12 sports, Nigeria returned home without a single medal.
“We have Nigerians that won 2 Gold and 3 Silver Medals for different countries, but none from our Nigerian team won any medal.. Abiodun Adetula
This failure stings even more when compared to the achievements of athletes of Nigerian descent competing for other countries.
For instance, Samu Omoridion secured a gold medal in football for Spain, while Michael Olise won silver in the same sport for France.
Yemisi Ogunleye clinched gold in shot put for Germany, Annette Echokunwoke earned silver in the hammer throw for the USA, and Salwa Eid Naser, born Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu, took silver in the 400m event for Bahrain.
These successes raise a critical question: why do Nigerians excel abroad but falter when representing their homeland?
The disappointment deepens when considering the talent on the Nigerian team, including Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the 100m hurdles, who failed to reach the finals, and Ese Brume, a decorated long jump athlete, who also returned home empty-handed.
This pattern is not limited to sports. From business to science, education to leadership, Nigerians continue to excel on foreign soil but struggle to replicate that success within their own borders.
The dismal performance at the Olympics serves as a painful reminder of this recurring phenomenon.
The question looms large: why is Nigeria unable to harness its abundant talent for national success? Until this is addressed, the nation risks losing its brightest stars to foreign lands, perpetuating the cycle of underachievement on the global stage.
