At 17, Iyanuoluwa Aderemi is attracting growing interest as one of Nigeria’s brightest young athletics prospects after running 50.95 seconds in the 400 metres at the Dynamic Athletics Meet. The performance has highlighted the teenager’s progress from Akoko in Ondo State.
A rapid improvement in the 400m
Aderemi’s latest result continues a clear upward trend. She recorded 51.86 seconds at the most recent Commonwealth Games Trials before posting 52.46 seconds at the Niger Delta Games in Benin City, Edo State, in February.
Her sequence of improving times has increased optimism that Nigeria could have found another outstanding athletics talent.
Akoko’s demanding athletic tradition
Aderemi’s story began in Akoko, a mountainous and hilly part of Ondo State with a history of producing accomplished Nigerian athletes. Its notable names include:
- Isiaq Adeyanju
- Folashade Abugan
- Femi Ogunode
- Tosin Ogunode
- Josephine Oloye
The region does not have a fully operational stadium, but its difficult terrain has helped build endurance and encouraged a strong sporting culture among local youngsters.
Early promise and the road ahead
Aderemi’s ability became apparent during her first year of senior secondary school, when she competed in inter-house athletics and beat rivals who were older and more experienced.
Former athlete Adeleye Ogunmakinju later recognised her potential and began helping to develop it. Ogunmakinju, who is married to multiple-time Olympian Omolara Ogunmakinju, has used her elite-level experience to improve the young runner’s technique.
Progress has not been entirely straightforward. Aderemi’s education and training schedule have sometimes limited her availability for competitions, while managing academic responsibilities alongside the pressures of high-level athletics remains a continuing difficulty.
For her to become a major international athlete, the next stage of her development will depend on several forms of support:
- High-quality coaching
- Opportunities to compete internationally
- Sports-science services
- Medical assistance
- Backing from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria
- Support from the National Sports Commission
