Nigerian athletes who bring home medals from the Tokyo Olympics would receive a financial prize ranging from $7,500 to $15,000, according to Youth and Sports Minister Sunday Dare.
Wrestler Blessing Oborodudu won Team Nigeria’s second medal at the games on Tuesday, prompting the announcement.
“Gold medalists will now receive $15,000, while silver and bronze medalists will receive $10,000 and $7,500, respectively,” said Simon Ebohdjaiye, the ministry’s Director of Federation and Elite Athletes Department.
Gold was for $5,000, silver was worth $3,000, and bronze was worth $2,000 in the previous award.
The positive evaluation comes amid athlete complaints about poor treatment by sports officials.
Quadri Aruna, Team Nigeria’s captain at the Tokyo Olympics and Africa’s top-ranked table tennis player, mocked officials for shortchanging competitors at the games on Friday via his Instagram profile @quadriaruna.
The sports ministry, according to Chimezie Metu, a member of Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, does not value hard work.
Following the prize money, Blessing Oborodudu, the first Nigerian woman to win an Olympic medal in wrestling, is likely to get $10,000 for winning silver in the women’s 68kg freestyle.
Ese Brume, who won Nigeria’s first Olympic medal with a bronze in the long jump, is also anticipated to receive $7,500.
Her gold is the first in track and field since Blessing Okagbare and the women’s 4x100m relay team earned silver medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
There are three Nigerians left in the wrestling event, lead by Odunayo Adekuruoye, the world number one in her category.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, who will compete in the men’s shot put final on Thursday, is also in contention for a gold.
