Imaobong Nse Uko, a 21-year-old Nigerian quarter-miler, has been handed a two-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for an anti-doping rule violation.
According to the AIU’s June 2025 sanctions list, the violation was committed on 5 June 2024.
While the specific nature of Imaobong’s offence has not yet been publicly disclosed, the AIU confirmed that her ineligibility will last until 23 July 2026, and all results from the date of the infraction have been officially disqualified.
Anti-doping offences include both doping violations—such as the use of banned substances—and non-doping infractions like whereabouts failures or other breaches of testing regulations.
Imaobong Nse Uko rose to fame after claiming three gold medals at the 2021 World U20 Athletics Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, where she triumphed in the 400m, the women’s 4x400m relay, and the mixed 4x400m relay. Her suspension now marks a significant blow to both her personal career and Nigeria’s already troubled athletics image.
The AIU sanctioned a total of 19 athletes in June 2025 from countries including Kenya, India, France, Turkey, and the Netherlands—many for substance use or failure to comply with testing protocols.
Nigeria’s Doping Problem Deepens
Imaobong is not the first Nigerian athlete banned by the AIU in 2025. Earlier this year, Goodness Iredia, a long and triple jumper, received a three-year ban after testing positive for Metenolone, a banned anabolic steroid, during a U.S. competition on 31 January. His suspension, which began on 26 February, runs through February 2028.
These developments come in the wake of other high-profile Nigerian doping cases. Blessing Okagbare, Nigeria’s top sprinter, was banned for 11 years in 2022 after testing positive for multiple banned substances and obstructing the investigation. Similarly, Divine Oduduru was suspended for six years in a case linked to Okagbare’s, although he has consistently maintained his innocence and criticised the AIU’s actions.
The recurring bans underscore the urgent need for stronger anti-doping education, rigorous testing, and better support systems for Nigerian athletes.
What’s Next for Imaobong?
At just 21, Imaobong Nse Uko still has time to rebuild her career. However, returning from a doping ban is never straightforward. She will not only have to prove herself again on the track but also work hard to regain the trust of fans, teammates, and the broader athletics community.
