By Ben Efe 12-6-2025
Tonobok Okowa emerged president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria at the conclusion of the elective congress Thursday in Abuja to earn other term in office.
It turned out to be a one-horse race after three other aspirants for the top seat of the federation failed to find a clear path to the congress in Abuja.
Ladan Abubakar Zurmi was elected first vice president, while Akuchukwu Aghazu Chineze is the second vice president.
Other members of the board including Fatima Yusuf, Olu Sule, Lekan Soetan, Victor Okorie, Gabriel Okon, Samuel Onikeku, Frank Atare and Babayo Adamu. Two other slots Athletes rep and Coaches/Technical rep are yet to be decided.
Okowa and Onikeku are the only surviving members from the last board. Speaking after the election Okowa reached out to all athletes’ stakeholders saying: “Elections test our passion, but they must never fracture our athletics family.
“I pledged to lead inclusively, ensuring every voice is heard as we forge a common ground for Nigerian athletics…my door and my heart is open for collaboration,”
He added that he would pursuing a four-point agenda in his second tenure this include aggressive grassroots talent hunt programme and education of our Nigerian athletes.
National Sports Commission director-general Hon. Bukola Olapade who has never hidden his passion for athletics urged the new board to do all they can to reposition Nigerian athletics saying, “the ball is now in your court and you must not fail Nigerians in this task of repositioning our track and field.”