Joel Ajayi
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) unveiled a 24-athlete squad for the World Athletics Relays set for May 2–3 in Gaborone, Botswana, with a remarkable highlight, the inclusion of three secondary school students in the national team.
Rosemary Chukwuma, Jecinta Lawrence, and Miracle Ezechukwu have emerged as the surprise names on the list, underlining a new wave of young talent breaking into Nigeria’s senior athletics setup.
The trio, still in secondary school, are products of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative, an initiative of the National Sports Commission. They caught national attention as IJA athletes at the National Sports Festival, where they competed against more experienced athletes, before going on to represent Nigeria at the CAA Africa U18/U20 Athletics Championships.
Their rapid progression has now earned them places on one of the country’s biggest athletics stages.
Chukwuma and Ezechukwu have been drafted into the women’s 4x100m relay team and will also feature in the mixed relay squad, while Lawrence has secured a spot in the women’s 4x400m team.
Their selection is widely seen as a reflection to the growing impact of grassroots development programs and the deliberate efforts to integrate young athletes into elite competition early.
Beyond the excitement surrounding the young trio, the squad also features established stars such as Enoch Adegoke, Favour Ashe, Patience Okon George, and Chidi Okezie, providing a balance of experience and youthful energy.
The AFN’s decision signals confidence in the future of Nigerian athletics, as the country heads to Gaborone with a team that not only aims to compete but also to build for the next generation.
