Ogun athletes block NSF’s games village in protest of unpaid allowances 

Some athletes representing Ogun at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) are protesting unpaid allowances by the state government. 

The athletes began the protest around 5 am on Wednesday and took to the gate of the NSF’s games village at Babcock University in Ilishan Remo.

In videos and pictures of the incident on social media, the protesters blocked off the exit of other participating athletes from the games village.

Some demonstrators are calling on the Ogun government to intervene and address outstanding allowances and bonuses.

The athletes accused officials of failing to fulfil the financial commitments made before the commencement of competition.

Ogun is the host of the 22nd National Sports Festival, and Dapo Abiodun, the state’s governor, had pledged cash incentives of N2.5 million for each gold medal, N1.5 million for silver, and N1 million for bronze won by its athletes.

Ogun is currently ranked third on the overall medals table. The state has a total of 114 medals — having secured 44 gold, 29 silver, and 41 bronze.