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Ogun State athletes protesting unpaid allowances caused major disruption at the ongoing 2024 Gateway Games, leaving fellow participants stranded at the Babcock University Games Village just two days before the festival’s close.
  • Athletes from Ogun State blocked buses as early as 5:30 am.
  • The protest stemmed from non-payment of their allowances.
  • The athletes say they don’t even know the promised amounts.
  • Governor Abiodun earlier pledged ₦2.5m, ₦1.5m, and ₦1m for gold, silver, and bronze winners, respectively.
  • Ogun currently sits third on the medals table.
The protest, though disruptive, underscores a recurring issue in Nigerian sports: broken promises and poor welfare for athletes. Hosting a national festival is a moment of pride, but it loses its shine when home athletes, who should be most motivated, are left disillusioned. With Ogun in medal contention, this could cast a shadow on the state's otherwise impressive performance.

As the festival winds down, all eyes are on the Ogun State government to fulfil its commitments. Will the Commissioner of Sports break the silence and restore calm?