Team Nigeria has withdrawn from the 2025 World Athletics Relays after athletes and officials were denied visas by the Chinese embassy in Abuja, crushing the country’s hopes of securing qualification for the World Championships.
The Nigerian team was set to compete in four relay events: the men’s 4x100m, women’s 4x100m, mixed 4x100m, and mixed 4x400m.
The World Relays, which is taking place in Nassau, Bahamas, serve as a crucial qualification pathway for the 2025 World Athletics Championships later this year in Tokyo, Japan but Team Nigeria’s hope of participating in the championship has been dashed following the Chinese embassy refusal to grant the team visas to attend the event.
According to sources within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the team had completed all necessary documentations and preparations for the trip but was unexpectedly denied entry visas despite early application.
The reason for the denial remains unclear, but the setback has raised concerns over diplomatic and logistical challenges faced by African teams in global sporting events.
This development is a heavy blow to Nigeria’s relay teams, which have shown promise in recent years.
With Olympic qualification also tied to performances at the World Relays, missing the event could have ripple effects on the country’s representation on the global athletics stage.
Athletics enthusiasts and officials have voiced deep disappointment over the development. An official of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the situation as disheartening: “It’s heart-breaking. These athletes have trained for months, and this was a major opportunity to secure their place at the World Championships.”
While World Athletics has yet to issue an official statement on Nigeria’s withdrawal, there is growing pressure on the global body to address persistent visa-related challenges that disproportionately impact African nations.
This is not the first time Nigerian athletes have encountered travel restrictions ahead of major international events, but the timing and stakes of the World Relays make this setback particularly devastating.
