NSC, AFN probe age discrepancy

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The Athletic Federation of Nigeria has constituted a special investigative panel to examine allegations of age discrepancies involving young athletes who competed at the 2025 African U-18 and U-20 championships in Abeokuta.

Details of the committee were made available to PUNCH Sports Extra reports on Tuesday (yesterday).

The federation has appointed its vice president, Abubakar Gurmi, to lead the inquiry, while other members include Musa Amadu, Olumide Oyedeji and Dele Edokoayi.

The committee expected to deliver its findings ahead of a January deadline issued by the Athletics Integrity Unit.

The AIU recently wrote to the federation demanding clarification on a number of athletes flagged for multiple date-of-birth records.

In its correspondence obtained by PUNCH Sports Extra, the unit informed the AFN that it was “required to provide a response by email by no later than 5pm cet on January 16 2026,” meaning the committee must conclude its work before then.

The development follows the federation’s initial statement on Monday, in which AFN secretary-general Israel Inwang confirmed that president Tonobok Okowa had ordered a full-scale investigation.

He stressed that the integrity of Nigerian athletics remained non-negotiable, and said the committee had been mandated to uncover the facts and identify any athletes or officials responsible for wrongdoing.

The issue has also drawn intervention from the National Sports Commission, which has demanded strict accountability from the AFN over the query from the AIU.

Chairman Shehu Dikko expressed displeasure with the situation and warned that any official found culpable would face disciplinary action.

“At a time we are giving no place to age cheat in our sports, this will not be swept under the carpet,” he said, adding that age-grade competitions must be safeguarded from malpractice.

The commission’s Director General, Bukola Olopade, also added that the federation must demonstrate competence and diligence to restore confidence and prevent international embarrassment.

“We are aware of the query from the Athletics Integrity Unit and for us at the national sports commission, this does not paint the AFN in a good light,” he said.

“We will not hesitate to come out hard on any official or administrator who is responsible for this embarrassment.”

The AFN panel is now expected to work swiftly to clear the country’s name before the Athletics Integrity Unit’s January deadline.

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