Nigeria Para Athletes Frustrated Over Delayed Allowances After Historic West Africa Games
Nigeria Para Athletes Frustrated Over Delayed Allowances After Historic West Africa Games
Para athletes who represented Nigeria and secured medals at the inaugural West Africa Zone A and B Para Games, held from November 28 to December 4, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have voiced their frustration over delays in receiving their competition allowances. Some athletes also reported they have yet to receive transport allowances for the event.
Nigeria hosted the first-ever edition of the regional multi-sport competition, featuring over 400 athletes from 10 West African countries. The Nigerian team, consisting of 190 athletes, made a historic impact by topping the medal table with a total of 59 gold, 39 silver, and 31 bronze medals. Benin Republic finished second with four gold, four silver, and 14 bronze medals, while Ghana secured third place with three gold, 15 silver, and 21 bronze medals, according to the Local Organising Committee chairman, Victor Achakpo.
More than a month after the event concluded, athletes have criticized the delay in their allowances, expressing concern as they prepare for a busy 2026 season. An anonymous athlete told journalists, “There was no prior negotiation. They handled everything with the secretaries of the associations, without involving the federations. We were taken to the RCCG camp as the base of the competition, but nothing was said about allowances. They initially promised a pre-tournament camp, which never happened. As of now, we have not received our allowances.”
Another athlete lamented, “We received N50,000 as transport allowance, but some athletes did not get even that. We don’t know when the allowances will be paid or what to expect. It’s frustrating and uncertain about our future preparations.”
The 2026 national budget allocates N1.28 billion to develop programs for disabled athletes and to organize the third Para Games, with an additional N1.175 billion earmarked for sports equipment such as wheelchairs and crutches. However, athletes feel that the Nigerian Sports Commission (NSC) should do more than just procurement and event organization.
“Given our contribution to Nigerian sports, we should have a purpose-built games village for lodging and training during extended periods. The current stadium facilities are inadequate and more or less makeshift. With 2026 approaching and major competitions ahead, how can we stay prepared? We cannot even assess the budget properly unless we see tangible action,” another athlete stated.
In response, the President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Sunday Odebode, reassured athletes that their allowances would be paid by next week. He explained that preparations are underway for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, and the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
“This week, without fail, they will start receiving their allowances. Even athletes who stayed in camp but did not compete, such as para-swimming athletes, will receive their payments,” Odebode told journalists. “Our immediate focus is on preparing for the Commonwealth Games and Paralympics, with intensive training starting in February.”
