Lagos State Honours Olympic Hero Chioma Ajunwa With Long-Awaited Home After 25 Years.
Chioma Ajunwa, Nigeria’s trailblazing athlete who clinched the nation’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the women’s long jump at the 1996 Atlanta Games, has finally received the reward promised to her a quarter of a century ago. The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, presented Ajunwa with the keys to a three-bedroom flat in the Babatunde Raji Fashola Housing Estate, Iponri, fulfilling a pledge made by the then-military administration of Brigadier Olagunsoye Oyinlola in 1996.
Ajunwa’s remarkable leap of 7.12 metres on her first attempt in Atlanta not only secured her place in history as Nigeria’s sole individual Olympic gold medallist but also marked her as the first Black African woman to win gold in a field event. The achievement sparked nationwide celebrations, with Nigeria declaring a three-day national holiday in her honour. However, the promise of a house, intended as a token of appreciation for her historic feat, remained unfulfilled for 25 years, leaving Ajunwa, now an Assistant Commissioner of Police, to publicly express her disappointment over the years.
The handover ceremony, held at Lagos House, Alausa, was an emotional moment for the 54-year-old athlete. Ajunwa, visibly moved, described the gesture as a “motivation” for the next generation of Nigerian athletes, reinforcing her belief in the country’s potential. Governor Sanwo-Olu, presenting the keys, hailed Ajunwa’s achievement as a defining moment that elevated Nigeria’s global image and inspired young athletes. “When Dr Chioma Ajunwa-Oparah represented the country in 1996, some promises were made, and very typical of us as a people, we forget,” Sanwo-Olu said. “I have met and kept the promises of my predecessors to ensure our athletes get what they deserve.”
The event also served as a platform to honour Lagos State athletes who excelled at the National Sports Festival in Edo State, where they secured 125 medals, including 32 golds. Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development, highlighting the recent amendment of the Sport Commission Law and plans to upgrade Teslim Balogun Stadium while constructing eight new mini-stadia across the state to nurture grassroots talent.
However, the narrative surrounding the original promise has sparked some debate. Former military administrator Olagunsoye Oyinlola clarified that he had pledged a plot of land, not a house, to Ajunwa and other 1996 Olympic medallists, including members of the gold-winning Under-23 football team. Oyinlola stated that the land allocations, announced publicly in August 1996, were intended for 24 athletes, with two Lagos-born footballers promised apartments. Questions remain about whether these plots were delivered, but Oyinlola’s statement suggests the house presented to Ajunwa may exceed the original commitment.
Ajunwa, a multi-sport athlete who competed in the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup before switching to track and field, has long been a role model. Despite facing adversity, including a four-year suspension after a 1992 drug test failure—which she attributed to a lack of awareness about banned substances in Nigeria—she made a triumphant comeback. Her 7.12m national record stood for 25 years until it was surpassed by Ese Brume, who won bronze in the same event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Through her Chioma Ajunwa-Okpara Foundation, established in 2017, Ajunwa continues to mentor young athletes and promote drug-free sports, driven by a desire to see Nigeria produce more Olympic champions.
The fulfilment of this long-delayed promise has been met with widespread approval, though some Nigerians have expressed mixed sentiments. Social media posts have celebrated Ajunwa’s resilience while questioning the government’s delay, with one user noting, “This is the reason many Nigerians born abroad don’t want to participate in Nigeria games.” Others have called for the state to honour all 1996 Olympic medallists as pledged.
For Ajunwa, the moment is bittersweet but triumphant. Decorating Governor Sanwo-Olu with a replica of her 1996 gold medal, she expressed gratitude and renewed hope. “I am proof anyone can rise to the top, irrespective of background,” she said, reflecting on her journey from a humble upbringing in Ahiazu-Mbaise to Olympic glory. As Nigeria looks to future games, Ajunwa’s story remains a beacon of perseverance and a reminder of the rewards—however delayed—that dedication can bring.
