Okowa’s Next Four Years Will Usher in a New Dawn for Nigerian Athletics - Lekan Soetan

 Okowa’s Next Four Years Will Usher in a New Dawn for Nigerian Athletics - Lekan Soetan


Chairman of the South-West Athletics Association, Lekan Soetan, has expressed unwavering support for the re-elected President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, declaring that the next four years under his leadership will herald a new era for Nigerian athletics.


In an exclusive media chat with Dynamic, Soetan described Okowa’s next four years as “a new beginning for Nigeria's athletics,” expressing confidence that the AFN is poised for unprecedented growth and reform under Okowa’s stewardship.


“What we are about to witness is a new dawn under Tonobok Okowa. The next four years will be more structured, result-driven, and strategically impactful. I believe President Okowa has all it takes to elevate Nigerian athletics to world-class standards,” Soetan said.


He applauded Okowa’s resilience and dedication, stating that the AFN President has “weathered many storms, and now, with the quality of people at his disposal, it's time to truly deliver.” He urged stakeholders to rally behind Okowa’s second term, which he believes will bring deeper reforms, stronger zonal empowerment, and increased visibility for home-based talents.


As the newly inaugurated Chairman of the South-West Athletics Association, Soetan also spoke passionately about his commitment to revitalizing athletics at the grassroots and zonal levels. With a versatile background as a former athlete, coach, statistician, and respected sports administrator, he pledged to bring innovation, structure, and accountability to the region.


“I have worn many caps in this sport: athlete, coach, statistician, and advisor. Every stage of my journey has prepared me for this moment. Now is the time to accelerate grassroots development, promote zonal competitions, and inject administrative excellence into the South-West,” he stated.


Soetan pointed out the need to reposition Nigerian athletics as a respected force both locally and globally. He called for proactive leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder inclusion to steer the sport away from past missteps.


“We must not return to the era where international obligations are ignored or our participation in global competitions is left to chance. With the President’s openness to sound advice and my experience in the trenches, I am confident the AFN will become an institution where things are done right, with the right people, producing the right results,” he affirmed.




Lekan Soetan was officially inaugurated as Chairman of the South-West Athletics Association on June 12, and has vowed to hit the ground running, promising to set a new benchmark for regional sports growth and leadership.

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