AFN warns Nigerian athletes over unfavourable agreements

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has warned athletes and their families to seek advice before signing agreements that could damage their education, careers or commitment to represent the country. AFN president Tonobok Okowa said the federation is monitoring deals involving Nigerian athletes and can act when an arrangement is judged harmful.

Okowa said agreements signed by athletes should not be treated as permanent if they later prove detrimental to the athlete or Nigeria. He also clarified that the AFN has no agreement with agents or agencies to provide scholarships to Nigerian athletes, urging families to be careful about such offers.

The federation said minors must not enter agreements without the involvement and approval of their parents or legal guardians. It stressed that scholarships and training opportunities abroad can help athletes combine education with high-level development, but those arrangements must not weaken their careers or prevent them from representing Nigeria.

The AFN has already advised one athlete to end an agreement involving an agent and a school. The federation concluded that the arrangement did not serve the athlete’s best interests and could also harm Nigeria’s interests. Okowa instructed AFN second vice-president Akuchukwu Aghazu, a lawyer, to review the circumstances, after which legal guidance was provided.

The federation also said it would not work with Auburn University in the United States while coach Ken remains there. Okowa said that position followed concerns that the coach discourages Nigerian athletes from competing for their country.

Okowa, who is also a senior vice-president of the Confederation of African Athletics, said athlete welfare remains a central responsibility of the AFN. The federation will continue examining agreements involving foreign institutions, agents and other third parties, while seeking to ensure that opportunities offered to Nigerian athletes support their development and national representation.