Ogun Administrators Condemn Athletes' Demonstration over Unsettled Compensation
** PROTEST BY OGUN ATHLETES OVER UNPAID ALLOWANCES DISRUPTS NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL**
Ogun State athletes staged a protest at the 22nd National Sports Festival hosted in the state, causing delays and disruptions to the events. The athletes blocked the entrance to the Games Village at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, preventing other participants from accessing their venues.
The protest, which occurred on Monday, stems from delays in receiving their allowances. The Ogun State Government, which has allocated substantial resources for the event—₦194 million in 2024 and a budget of ₦1.455 billion for 2025—has yet to ensure timely payment of entitlements to the athletes.
The athletes' actions resulted in the postponement of competitions scheduled to start by 8:00 a.m. at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Kuto and the Alake Sports Centre in Ikeja. The protest overshadowed Governor Dapo Abiodun's birthday and the festival's closing ceremony attended by President Bola Tinubu.
The state government, through Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, described the protest as "inconsistent with the values and objectives the state upholds." Akinmade added that all arrangements for the payment of athletes' allowances had already been finalized, with disbursements set for Tuesday.
Despite the delay, the state government has remained committed to the athletes' welfare and maintains that there is no circumstance under which the governor would allow them to suffer or be neglected. The statement also acknowledged that the protest was due to impatience rather than any intentional neglect.
Payments have reportedly commenced, with many athletes receiving bank alerts. The protest, therefore, was deemed a "unfortunate" and "uncalled for" demonstration of frustration.
The 22nd National Sports Festival continues across various venues in Ogun State, bringing together athletes from across Nigeria to compete in multiple sporting disciplines. Other reports suggest Ogun and Kwara are likely to face off in the men's football final, among other ongoing competitions.
[Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The athletes' protest during the 22nd National Sports Festival caused disruptions, leading to the postponement of football matches scheduled at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena and the Alake Sports Centre. The protest was due to unpaid allowances despite the Ogun State Government allocating substantial funds for the event. The state government reassured the athletes of their commitment to their welfare, blaming the delay on bureaucratic processes rather than intentional neglect. Now that payments have begun, some athletes have received their allowances, leading to the protest being viewed as an unwarranted demonstration of frustration. Meanwhile, the football competition continues, with Ogun and Kwara states set to face off in the final.
