The Ogun State Government has issued a strong response to the protest by athletes representing the state at the National Sports Festival-Gateway Games 2024 describing their actions as hasty and misinformed.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, criticised the demonstration in the Games Village at Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, calling it “unfortunate” and “inconsistent with the values and objectives the state upholds.”
Dozens of Ogun athletes had staged a peaceful protest earlier in the day, blocking the main gate of the Games Village to demand the payment of unpaid allowances.
Their demands included delayed daily bonuses, unfulfilled promises of competition stipends, and the controversial reduction of their pre-agreed contracts.
However, Akinmade insisted the protest was premature, stating that all logistical arrangements for payments had already been finalised prior to the demonstration.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun remains deeply sensitive and committed to the welfare of all participants at the festival, there is no circumstance under which he would allow Ogun athletes to suffer or be neglected,” the statement read.
ACP Alabi Akinjide, speaking to some Ogun State athletes. Photo Credit: Athletic Images
He added that payments to athletes had commenced as scheduled and that some had already received bank alerts.
“Those who protested did so in error. It was a clear case of impatience,” Akinmade concluded.
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The statement follows heightened tension at the festival venue, where armed security personnel, including the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, and Amotekun, were deployed to maintain order as the athletes continued their sit-in at the university gate.
Athletes Demand Promised Allowances
The athletes allege that:
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They were paid ₦78,000 as a two-week camp allowance, but many remained in camp for up to a month with no further payments.
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They were promised ₦10,000 daily bonuses during competition — now 11 days in — but nothing has been paid.
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A ₦50,000 instant performance bonus, said to have been pledged by Governor Dapo Abiodun for each athlete post-competition, also remains unpaid.
Babcock University gate blocked earlier today by Ogun State Athletes at 2024 Gateway Games . Photo Credit: Athletic Images
Several athletes told Athletic NG and Prime Sports Radio that they are particularly aggrieved by the state’s failure to honour the ₦50,000 bonus, which they claim was promised to be paid within 24 hours of competing.
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Though Governor Abiodun also announced cash prizes of ₦2.5 million for gold, ₦1.5 million for silver, and ₦1 million for bronze, the athletes confirmed this was not part of the current protest, noting that no timeline was ever given for those rewards.
Adding to the unrest is dissatisfaction over contractual terms. Athletes say they were initially promised a ₦100,000 monthly salary for one year but were later offered a revised contract of ₦75,000 for five months, which many refused to sign.
