In a show of continuity and confidence, Chief Tonobok Okowa has been re-elected unopposed as President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) during the Elective Congress held in Abuja on Thursday.
Okowa, who has served as President since 2021, saw his re-election sealed after all other contenders for the position either withdrew or failed to progress through the zonal stages of the election. Retired Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, a former Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence, tactically stepped down before the final vote. Constantine Itiako Ikpokpo, popularly known as Malik, lost at the South-South Zonal election to former sprinter Gabriel Okon. Meanwhile, Sunday Adeleye was eliminated in the North-West Zonal election by Ladan Abubakar Zurmi, who has now been elected as the AFN’s First Vice President. Akuchukwu Aghazu Chineze emerged as the second vice president.
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Speaking after his victory, Okowa, who also serves as vice president of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), extended an olive branch to all stakeholders.
“Elections test our passion, but they must never fracture our athletics family,” he said. “I pledge to lead inclusively, ensuring every voice is heard as we forge a common ground for Nigerian athletics. My door and my heart are open for collaboration.”
A Vision for the Future
Okowa outlined a four-point agenda for his second tenure, placing emphasis on:
- Aggressive grassroots talent discovery
- Holistic education for athletes
- Institutional reforms for accountability
- Improved international representation and partnerships
He expressed a renewed commitment to nurturing homegrown talents while aligning with global standards for track and field excellence.
Meet the New AFN Board
Alongside Okowa, the newly constituted AFN board brings together a mix of seasoned administrators and former athletes. The composition is seen as a positive move by many stakeholders who believe that athletes-turned-administrators bring valuable perspective and passion to the job.
AFN Executive Board:
- Chief Tonobok Okowa – President
- Ladan Abubakar Zurmi – First Vice President
- Akuchukwu Aghazu Chineze – Second Vice President
- Fatima Yusuf Olukoju
- Olufemi Sule
- Lekan Soetan
- Victor Okorie
- Gabriel Okon
- Samuel Onikeku
- Professor Frank Atare
- Babayo Adamu
- Solomon Aliu
Appointed Administrative Officials:
- Dele Edokapyi – Legal Adviser
- Dr. Kolawole Oredipe – Auditor
- Dr. Nneka Anibeze – Chief Operating Officer
- Babajide Odeseji – Safeguarding Officer
Notably, Performance Director Victor Okorie and Technical Director Samuel Onikeku retained their positions after winning re-election. Their continued presence ensures policy stability, as both played instrumental roles in shaping the AFN’s developmental programs over the last four years.
Read Alao: A New Sprint Begins: AFN Strengthens Leadership in Pivotal Zonal Elections
Cautious Optimism for the Road Ahead
While the influx of former athletes like Fatima Yusuf Olukoju, Gabriel Okon, and Olufemi Sule has generated optimism, experts warn that the board must foster unity and professionalism to succeed. With high expectations from the National Sports Commission, stakeholders are urging the new leadership to avoid factionalism and focus on building a strong pipeline for future champions.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Honourable Bukola Olapade, charged the new board with the responsibility of repositioning Nigerian athletics on the global stage:
“The ball is now in your court. You must not fail Nigerians in this task of repositioning our track and field.”
With the AFN athlete representative slot still pending, all eyes are now on the Federation’s next steps, especially regarding grassroots programs and international competitiveness ahead of the 2026 African Championships and the 2028 Olympics.
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