Nigeria’s 400m runner Imaobong Nse Uko has publicly blamed the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for her two-year ban from athletics, saying she was abandoned while struggling with the sport’s anti-doping compliance system.
Uko, who was banned by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) until July 23, 2026, took to Instagram to share her side of the story in a detailed post titled: “Exposing the Truth: My Fight Against an Unjust Suspension.”
“I am Imaobong Uko, a passionate athlete from Nigeria and I have been handed a two-year suspension based on a flawed system and a corrupt federation that has failed to support me when I needed it most,” the 21-year-old wrote.
Uko explained that she struggled for months with the WADA whereabouts system, an online platform athletes must use to log their location for random drug testing. She claimed that despite multiple requests for help from AFN officials, no assistance was provided.
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“For months, I struggled with an online system… Despite reaching out repeatedly for help, I was met with endless excuses about network issues and told to wait. My messages often went unanswered, leaving me feeling abandoned by the very organization that is supposed to protect and support athletes.”
The former World U-20 and National Sports Festival champion said she directly contacted several officials, including Mbachi Louis, Mrs. Onos, and Taldang, the assistant secretary of the AFN — but none of them followed through with meaningful help.
“When I was ultimately suspended, I was devastated… They claimed I had incorrectly submitted my information — a claim I adamantly deny.”
“This situation has exposed the corruption and negligence within the federation… I refuse to remain silent while they misuse their power and undermine our careers.”
Uko’s results from June 5, 2024 onward have been disqualified. The AIU ruled that she committed a whereabouts failure under anti-doping regulations after missing multiple test notifications.
This is not the first controversy involving athlete support within Nigerian track and field. In 2021, 10 Nigerian athletes were disqualified from competing at the Tokyo Olympics for failing to meet anti-doping compliance requirements — a failure largely blamed on administrative lapses.
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