List Of Top Nigerian Athletes Banned By AIU For Anti-doping Violation

List Of Top Nigerian Athletes Banned By AIU For Anti-doping Violation 

By Admin 

In a significant crackdown on doping violations, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has issued sanctions against ten Nigerian athletes, including Olympians and national champions, for a range of anti-doping rule violations. The penalties, released in the AIU’s June 2025 sanctions list, include suspensions ranging from two years to lifetime bans.

Rising Stars and Veterans Sanctioned

Imaobong Nse Uko – Two-Year Ban (Until July 2026)

Once considered one of Nigeria’s brightest sprint prospects, 21-year-old quarter-miler Imaobong Nse Uko has been suspended for two years for “whereabouts failures”—missing three doping tests within a 12-month period. All of her results since June 5, 2024, have been annulled. Uko gained prominence after winning triple gold at the 2021 World U20 Championships.

Stephen Eloji – Four-Year Ban (Until June 2028)

Hurdler and sprinter Stephen Eloji tested positive for dehydrochloromethyl-testosterone during an out-of-competition test in Nigeria on May 2, 2024. Eloji, 25, who had recently been competing on the U.S. collegiate track circuit, now faces a four-year suspension.

Ada Princess Bright – Four-Year Ban (Until September 2027)

Bright, a promising sprinter and African U20 relay gold medalist, was banned after testing positive for Metenolone during Nigeria’s 2023 National Trials in Benin City.

Grace Nwokocha – Three-Year Ban (Until August 2025)

Nwokocha tested positive for multiple Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs), including Ostarine and Ligandrol. Her infraction cost Nigeria its women’s 4x100m relay gold from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Olympians and Repeat Offenders Among the Banned

Yinka Ajayi – Eight-Year Ban (Until January 2030)

A former Olympic 400m runner, Yinka Ajayi initially received a ban in 2021 after a Metenolone positive. Additional findings of tampering led to an extended eight-year suspension.

Glory Okon – Four-Year Ban (Until January 2026)

Okon, a finalist at the 2019 African U20 Championships, also tested positive for Metenolone in late 2021 and is barred from competition until 2026.

Blessing Okagbare – Ten-Year Ban (Until July 2031)

Once a national icon, Olympic medalist Blessing Okagbare’s career came to a halt after testing positive for human growth hormone and EPO. Her ban, which began in 2021, was extended in 2022 following further infractions. She remains suspended through July 2031.

Divine Oduduru – Six-Year Ban (Until February 2029)

Oduduru’s suspension stems from his involvement in a U.S.-based doping ring tied to the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act. He was found guilty of possessing and attempting to use prohibited substances, with direct links to convicted supplier Eric Lira.

Lifetime Bans for Repeat Violators

Henry Azike – Lifetime Ban

Azike, a former national competitor last active in 2011, received a lifetime ban following a second doping violation involving Metenolone.

Vivian Chukwuemeka – Lifetime Ban

Two-time Olympian and Nigerian shot put record holder Vivian Chukwuemeka has been permanently banned after testing positive for Stanozolol at the 2012 National Championships—her second offence after an earlier ban in 2009.