TOBI AMUSAN, BRUME, GODBLESS LEAD LINE-UP FOR NIGERIA’S ATHLETICS TRIALS IN LAGOS

By: Gyang Dakwo

As the countdown to the World Athletics Championships begins, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has confirmed that it will hold its National Trials from the 1st to the 3rd of August, 2025. The event will take place at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos State.

According to a statement by the Secretary General of the AFN, Israel Inwang, the trials will help select athletes who will represent Nigeria at several major events. These include the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo, Japan, the CAA Region 2 African Senior Athletics Championship in Ghana, which also gives athletes a chance to improve their national rankings and personal records.

Some of the country’s biggest stars are expected to take part in the competition. World-record holder and 2022 world champion Tobi Amusan will be looking to regain her crown in the women’s 100 metres hurdles. Long jumper Ese Brume will also compete, and so will fast-rising sprinter Tima Godbless, who has already made headlines with her performances this season.

The men’s events will also be packed with top talent. Shot put specialist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, 400 metres hurdler Nathaniel Ezekiel, and sprinter Udodi Onwuzurike are all expected to be in action as they fight to book their places on Team Nigeria’s list to Tokyo.

Even though the trials are key to selection, some athletes have already secured their places at the World Championships. They either met the entry standards or qualified through their World Athletics ranking. These athletes include Tima Godbless, Rosemary Chukwuma, Kelly Ufodiama, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Temitope Adeshina, Ese Brume, and Favour Ofili. However, there is still some uncertainty about Ofili’s situation. There has been a lot of talk in the media about her possibly switching allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey, and the AFN says it will be watching developments closely as the