From participating in routine school activities to representing her school in inter-school competitions, student-athlete Divine Chiwendu Theophilus began her journey into the world of sports in junior secondary school. “That was when I decided to take things seriously,” she recalls. “Seeing that I was winning medals for my school, I fell in love with running. Today, I have been an amateur athlete for eight years.”
“Running gives, me freedom and increases my confidence. The joy of representing Nigeria on the international stage and winning a medal is a dream that is sure to happen soon.”
However, this dream of becoming one of Nigeria’s best athletes is hindered by numerous challenges, ranging from sexual harassment to financial, emotional, and administrative hurdles within Nigerian sports.
According to Divine, female athletes suffer significant sexual harassment from male coaches and officials, which she notes is demoralizing to most young athletes. It is no longer news that women in sports suffer significant sexual harassment globally; in Nigeria, this is often shrouded in a culture of silence. Recent localized studies in 2025 indicate that harassment levels are alarmingly high, particularly within specific states and university sports programs.
A 2025 study of registered athletes in Enugu State found that 70.7% had experienced sexual harassment. Similarly, in June of the same year, a study in Rivers State highlighted that “harsh coaching methods” are often culturally normalized, blurring the line between discipline and abuse.
This Elizabeth Michael, Founder & Executive Director, Sport Salon alluded to the fact that sexual harassment in sports is prevalent, and the secrecy maintained for fear of victimization has further silenced those who have been abused. “In sports, our challenges and strengths are often highlighted. Although we can openly talk about sexual harassment, it remains very taboo and carries a lot of stigma for the victim and even greater consequences when you are not the ‘perfect’ victim.”
“I think this is also one of the main reasons we chase transparency in sports. For sexual predators to continue, they need access and anonymity. Transparency will not fix it entirely, but it can greatly hamper how they operate. We need to educate people about what sexual harassment looks and feels like in a high-power imbalance dynamic like sports, where the one with power often holds a lot of leverage. We must create a safe environment so boundaries are not crossed. If we cannot offer safety, we cannot operate sports for all.” Elizbeth said
For Divine, the best way to reduce the sexual exploitation of women in sports is to recruit more female coaches. She suggests there should be a balance of male and female officials: “It is better to have female coaches training the female athletes, and for women to be part of the officiating team.”
Financial disparity in Nigerian sports is another deep-seated issue. Female athletes often perform at a higher level than their male counterparts while earning significantly less. Despite recent landmark investments, the gap remains stark across national team bonuses, league prizes, and sponsorship opportunities.
“It can be so difficult for an athlete to even transport herself to the training field or find the money to buy essentials,” Divine explains. “The pay gap is not encouraging, as many female athletes are paid much lower than their male counterparts. The Nigerian sports administration should pay athletes a monthly allowance.”
This view was corroborated by Elizabeth Michael, Founder & Executive Director Sport Salon, who stated: “The most urgent and persistent challenge is pay. Female athletes must earn livable wages; that is not a negotiation. For too long, women’s sports were treated as an inspirational vehicle for young girls rather than a destination in its own right. 2025 went a long way toward dismantling that.”
The national team bonuses of 2025/2026 show a clear disparity between the Super Falcons and the Super Eagles. For example, Super Eagles players receive approximately $5,000 for a win, whereas Super Falcons players receive $3,000. For daily camp allowances, men receive $200 while women receive $100. This is just one visible example of the pay gap in the industry.
It is not all gloom for women in sports, however Elizabeth Michael, noted that while the coverage of women’s sports has become broader and more consistent, that progress is not yet linear. “Progress is real but fragile. Countries all around the globe must improve together. The opportunity is not just in athletics; coaching, management, data analytics, and law are all expanding. We need women with the interests of women at heart in those roles.”
She added, “AI is already affecting sports and will shape its near future in ways we are only beginning to understand. Women’s sports cannot afford to be left out of the conversation in defining the policies that will shape the use of image, data, and rights.”
Catherine Ewa Ekuta, a 2003 African Games Judo gold medalist, Olympian, and current Director of Coaching and Technical at the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports, reflects on the highs and lows of her career. For her, the peak was winning gold at major competitions, while the low point was failing to qualify for events despite rigorous training.
Addressing the darker side of the industry, Ekuta described sexual harassment in sports as a cankerworm that must be eliminated. She called for intentional measures to protect female athletes, including creating safe spaces for reporting and ensuring perpetrators are punished.
“We must encourage a female presence in all events so that athletes have someone they can reach out to,” she stated, adding that increasing the number of female stakeholders is vital for safeguarding children.
However, she also noted that athletes must maintain integrity, cautioning against those who try to “bribe their way” to qualification. She urged athletes to work hard rather than seeking shortcuts that could leave them vulnerable to exploitation.
While the International Olympic Committee achieved historic 50/50 gender parity at the Paris 2024 Games, Ekuta noted that cultural barriers remain. In parts of Africa, female participation in sports like gymnastics or swimming is often hindered by concerns over competition kits.
To solve this, she advocates for more female-friendly facilities and a rise in female coaches and referees.
Finally, she called for a reward system that favors both male and female athletes equally, urging parents and schools to encourage girls to get involved in sports.
Women in sports are champions, and many girls are finding their purpose by expressing themselves through sports. Therefore, for women and girls in sports to thrive, more opportunities must be created and an equal playing field provided for all.
