The Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Investigative Committee, established by the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, is set to hold its first public hearing on Thursday, October 5, 2024, in Abuja. This marks the beginning of what many hope will be a thorough investigation into Nigeria’s poor performance at the games.

Victor Okangbe, the committee’s secretary, confirmed that the inaugural session will take place at the Media Center of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Key figures, including the Minister of Sports, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development (FMSD) Tinuke Watti, and Head of the Federation of Elite Athletes Department, Bamiduro Olumide, are expected to make appearances before the committee.

The committee’s core mandate is to revisit and address several pressing issues that marred Nigeria’s Olympic campaign, damaging the country’s international sporting reputation. Among the key issues under review is the omission of sprinter Favour Ofili from the final roster, a mishap that stunned many sports enthusiasts and raised serious questions about administrative oversight. The doping concerns that surrounded some athletes also form part of the investigation, as Nigeria’s anti-doping protocols were put into the spotlight during the Games.

Additionally, the committee will probe into the alleged contract agreement between Actively Black, a U.S.-based sportswear company, and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC). The terms of the contract, and whether they contributed to any mismanagement of resources, will be scrutinized, particularly given the financial outlay the country made in preparation for the Games.

The committee is also tasked with investigating the code of conduct among members of Team Nigeria, focusing on discipline, unity, and overall representation of the country at the Games. Numerous reports emerged during the Olympics and Paralympics about team morale and internal conflicts, which may have influenced performance outcomes.

The committee is chaired by veteran journalist Mumuni Alao and includes esteemed individuals representing various regions of the country. Its members are Aliyu Mohammed (North-West), Rakiya Muhammed (North-Central), Godwin Enakhena (South-South), Abubakar Ango (North-East), and Nnene Akudo (South-East). The secretary, Victor Okangbe, hails from the South-South region.

In his remarks, Sports Minister John Owan Enoh highlighted that the committee members were carefully chosen for their track record of integrity and independence. None of them hold affiliations with the Ministry of Sports or any of the groups involved in organizing Nigeria’s participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. This is to ensure an impartial and transparent investigation, with the goal of identifying those responsible for Nigeria’s lackluster performance and ensuring accountability.

Despite the significant investment of billions of Naira, Nigeria returned home from the 2024 Olympic Games without a single medal, marking the eighth time in the country’s history that it came back empty-handed. The last time Nigeria faced such a disappointing outcome was at the 2012 London Olympics. The failure was a painful reminder of the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s sports administration, athlete development, and preparation strategies.

However, Nigeria’s Paralympic athletes delivered a more promising performance, though it fell short of the country’s past successes. The Nigerian team managed to secure seven medals: two gold, three silver, and two bronze. While these achievements were commendable, they paled in comparison to the nation’s previous Paralympic outings, where Nigerian athletes had historically dominated events, especially in powerlifting and track events.

The committee’s work is crucial not only for understanding what went wrong in Paris but also for building a solid foundation for future participation in international sporting events. The findings could lead to significant reforms in the management of Nigeria’s sports sector, with a focus on improving athlete welfare, anti-doping measures, and contract transparency.