On Sunday July 6, 2025, Nigerian athlete, Nse Uko Imaobong made a post on Instagram blaming the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for her ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
The AFN on their part have replied to her and said she is responsible for her tests. Her suspension brings to ten, the number of Nigerian athletes suspended or banned for life by the AIU in the June 2025 list.
Sport Resonace takes a look at that list.
Nse Uko Imaobong: (Two-year ban) — The former world U20 champion is suspended for two years for “whereabouts failures” which made her miss three doping tests.
Ada Princess Bright: (Four-year-ban) — the African U20 relay gold medalist was banned for testing positive for metenolone in 2023.
Stephen Eloji: (Four-year-ban) — The 25-year-old sprinter tested positive for a banned substance in May 2024. The U.S collegiate athlete was tested in Nigeria.
Grace Nwokocha: (Three-year ban) — She was one of Nigeria’s brightest prospects for gold at the world stage and made it manifest when she helped the women’s 4×100m relay team to win gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. However, the team was stripped off the medal after a banned substance was found in her system.
Glory Okon: (Four-year-ban) — The 2019 African U20 Championships finalist tested positive to Metenolone in 2021 and is expected to return in 2026.
Blessing Okagbare: (Ten-year ban) — She was among the best in Africa and the world , shattering continental and national records but her flourishing career came to an abrupt end when she tested positive for human growth hormone and EPO. Her ban began in 2021 and will end in 2031.
Divine Oduduru: (Six-year ban) — Many fans would be wondering where he is. He was a bright star until his suspension for having links to a convicted banned substances supplier, Eric Lira. He was found guilty of possessing and attempting to use prohibited substances.
Yinka Ajayi: (Eight-year ban) — Then former Olympian in the 400m tested positive for Metenolone and was banned in 2021 after further investigations found him guilty of “tampering.”
Henry Azike: (Lifetime ban) — He tested positive for Metenolone a second time and was banned for life.
Vivian Chukwuemeka: (Lifetime ban) — The two-time Olympian and national record holder was banned for a lifetime for testing positive for Stanozolol and it was the second time would test positive for a banned substance.
While Nse Uko Imaobong and AFN trade blames, the AIU are still beaming searchlights on other athletes in Nigeria and around the world to keep the sport clean. While some have successfully won appeals against doping, many do not, hence the need for athletes to show caution and play by the rules.
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