Athletes representing Ogun State, the host of the 22nd National Sports Festival ("Gateway Games 2024"), initiated a protest on Wednesday morning over the non-payment of their allowances. The disgruntled athletes effectively blocked the main entrance to the Games Village, located at Babcock University in Ilishan-Remo, preventing vehicular movement and thereby disrupting the festival's proceedings significantly.

The blockade had immediate and widespread consequences, leaving numerous athletes from both Ogun and other participating states stranded. Many competitors, particularly those scheduled for early morning events starting at 8 a.m., such as cyclists, were unable to leave the Games Village to reach their respective competition venues, including the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Kuto and the Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja. This action led to considerable delays, postponements, and logistical challenges across multiple events, casting a shadow over the festival.

The core grievance behind the protest was the failure of the Ogun State authorities, reportedly the Ministry of Youth and Sports under Commissioner Wasiu Isiaka, to disburse promised allowances to the host state's contingent. With the festival nearing its conclusion (reportedly set to end on Thursday, May 29, with departures on May 30), athletes expressed concerns about returning home empty-handed and insisted that the protest would continue until they received confirmation of payment alerts. They voiced beliefs that funds had already been released to officials but not passed on.

Tensions had reportedly been mounting for several days prior to the protest. An anonymous athlete revealed that emergency meetings were held with Team Ogun officials on Tuesday evening and again early Wednesday morning around 5 a.m., but these discussions failed to yield a resolution, prompting the escalation. It was also reported that the athletes had initially considered protesting before the festival commenced but were persuaded by their coaches to delay action, based on hopes that the allowances would be paid once the games officially started.

Adding a layer of complexity to the situation, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun had earlier, on May 18, made a significant pledge during a morale-boosting visit to the athletes. He promised substantial cash rewards for medal winners: ₦2.5 million for gold, ₦1.5 million for silver, and ₦1 million for bronze. While this announcement was met with cheers, these incentives are typically awarded after the festival and are distinct from the daily allowances that were the subject of the Wednesday protest.

Ironically, despite the internal discord and the protest over welfare, Team Ogun had been performing impressively at the Gateway Games 2024. As of Tuesday, the host state was reportedly third on the overall medals table, having secured a significant haul of gold, silver, and bronze medals, showcasing the athletes' dedication even amidst unresolved financial concerns.

Initially, there was no official statement from the Ogun State Government, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, or the Local Organising Committee (LOC) regarding the protest. Some LOC members were reported to have appealed to the athletes to direct their grievances through appropriate channels rather than disrupting the university's activities. However, a later development indicated a potential resolution, as Kayode, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Ogun State Governor, informed The Guardian that the payment of allowances to the protesting athletes had commenced.

The protest has brought to the forefront critical questions about athlete welfare and administrative accountability, particularly for a host state. Some reports indicated that athletes from other states were secretly supportive of the Ogun contingent's actions, suggesting wider dissatisfaction. The incident, coupled with other reported issues such as meals being provided through a general kitchen and a previous instance of athletes competing in darkness due to floodlight failure at the MKO Abiola Stadium during a 10,000m final, underscored the challenges facing sports administration and the urgent need for better support systems for athletes participating in national events.