Nigerian sprinter, Imaobong Uko, has spoken out for the first time following her two-year suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit, condemning the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for what she described as a system plagued by failure, corruption, and lack of accountability.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the 20-year-old athlete poured out her frustration and disappointment over how the federation allegedly abandoned her during a critical period when she struggled to meet mandatory whereabouts requirements under anti-doping regulations.
“Today, I am sharing my story not just for myself, but for every athlete who has faced injustice in silence,” she wrote.
Uko, who had been considered one of Nigeria’s most promising talents on the track, revealed that she faced prolonged technical issues while trying to log her whereabouts through the required online platform, a problem that spiraled due to what she described as the AFN’s indifference.
“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,” she added.
She stated that during her AIU hearing, she challenged AFN officials on why they failed to assist her in resolving the issue, only to receive unsatisfactory and deflective responses.
According to her, they accused her of providing wrong information, an allegation she firmly denies.
Uko further revealed that she had sought help from several key federation figures, naming Mbachi Louis, Mrs. Onos, and Taldang, the AFN’s Assistant Secretary. She said that although they initially responded, none of them came through with the necessary support when it was most critical.
“This situation has exposed the corruption and negligence within the federation that is supposed to champion our rights as athletes,” she said. “I refuse to remain silent while they misuse their power and undermine our careers.”
The sprinter ended her statement with a passionate appeal to her fellow athletes, encouraging collective action against institutional injustice.
“Let’s unite to expose these injustices and fight for a fairer future in sports. Together, we can make a difference.”
With the suspension barring her from competition until 2026, Uko’s career now faces an uphill battle, an unfortunate turn for an athlete once hailed as one of Nigeria’s brightest prospects on the international stage.