NAWIS Under Pressure as Women in Sports Battle Interference, Imposition Ahead of AFN Elections

 

The race to elect a representative for the new board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is heating up — but far from being a routine exercise in sports administration, it is fast turning into a test of integrity, equity, and democratic accountability. At the center of the growing storm is the Nigeria Association for Women in Sports (NAWIS), which is pushing back against what it describes as disturbing levels of external interference and political manipulation.

The elections, scheduled to take place on Monday, June 9, 2025, in Abuja, have already been marred by controversy, with multiple stakeholders raising red flags about irregularities in the buildup. For NAWIS — a body that has long advocated for the inclusion and empowerment of women in Nigeria’s sporting leadership — this moment was supposed to be a breakthrough. Instead, it has become a flashpoint.

Relocation Sparks Outrage

One of the most contentious developments was the sudden relocation of the NAWIS election from Zaria to Abuja. According to sources within the association, the move was not only unexpected but also executed under pressure from high-profile figures allegedly linked to the National Sports Commission, who were keen on tilting the electoral playing field in favour of their preferred candidates.

“This election was originally scheduled to hold in Zaria, but at the eleventh hour, it was moved to Abuja — not for logistical convenience, but to satisfy the interests of a powerful few,” a senior NAWIS official confided, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It’s shocking how what should be an internal democratic process for women is now being hijacked and dictated by external forces.”

Zoom for Some, Abuja for Others

In a further twist, several other elections — including those for zonal representatives — were allegedly held via Zoom, a method that starkly contrasts with the full-scale physical arrangement demanded for NAWIS in Abuja. This discrepancy has left many questioning the motives behind such selective application of protocols.

“How can we claim to be promoting fairness and transparency when some elections were conveniently conducted online, and others were dragged to Abuja under suspicious circumstances?” a stakeholder asked rhetorically. “The inconsistencies only feed the suspicion that certain elections are being micromanaged to produce predetermined outcomes.”

NAWIS Candidates Under Pressure

With several NAWIS-backed candidates poised to contest positions on the AFN board, the association has become a strategic force — and, consequently, a target. Sources suggest that some of the female aspirants are being pressured to step down or endorse handpicked replacements, all in a bid to neutralize their growing influence.

“There are coordinated efforts to frustrate strong NAWIS candidates who have earned their place through hard work and dedication,” said another source within the association. 

“Some are being threatened to withdraw, while others are facing subtle blackmail. It’s clear the aim is to dilute the strength of NAWIS and install loyalists who will serve narrow interests.”

A Bigger Battle for Representation

Founded to amplify the voices of women in Nigerian sports, NAWIS has in recent years grown into a formidable bloc in the struggle for gender equity. From pushing for better conditions for female athletes to advocating for leadership inclusion, the association has gained ground. But the current situation has placed its credibility and future direction on the line.

“We are not just fighting for board seats — we are fighting for representation, dignity, and the future of women in sports governance,” a top NAWIS advocate noted. “If women are being boxed out of an election within their own association, then we must ask: who really controls Nigerian sports — and for whose benefit?”

Call for Transparency

Stakeholders are now calling on the National Sports Commission, the Electoral and Appeals Committees, and all lovers of sports to ensure a transparent, fair, and democratic election process in the NAWIS polls, warning that anything less would undermine the very fabric of sports development in the country.

“This election is not just about the AFN. It is a litmus test for how serious we are about reforms in Nigerian sports. If this is allowed to go unchecked, it sets a dangerous precedent,” a stakeholder stated in a position shared with journalists.

All Eyes on June 9

As the clock ticks toward June 9, all eyes will be on Abuja, where the elections will not only decide the next leadership of one of Nigeria’s most important sports federations but also send a powerful message about the role of women — and the true state of democracy — in Nigerian sports governance.

Whether NAWIS emerges strengthened or weakened will depend not just on ballots cast, but on the ability of the system to resist the dark shadows of imposition, influence, and silent suppression.