8 Nigerian sports personalities who died in 4 months

In the past four months, Nigeria’s sporting fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the tragic and incessant losses to the cold hands of death of several prominent sports personalities. These individuals, who represented the country in various disciplines – football, boxing, wrestling and more – were not just athletes but national heroes, mentors, and […]

In the past four months, Nigeria’s sporting fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the tragic and incessant losses to the cold hands of death of several prominent sports personalities.

These individuals, who represented the country in various disciplines – football, boxing, wrestling and more – were not just athletes but national heroes, mentors, and symbols of excellence and resilience. Their deaths, many of which occurred suddenly, or under distressing circumstances, have sent shockwaves through the Nigerian sports community, evoking a collective sense of grief and reflection.

From seasoned Olympians and football legends to young talents on the cusp of greatness, their passing is a poignant reminder of the impermanence of life, even among the fittest. These losses not only robbed the country of icons but also cut dreams short, halted potentials and left lasting voids in clubs, sports federations and families.

As Nigeria grapples with these tragedies, Weekend Trust Sports takes a sober look at the legacies of the departed, remembering their enormous contributions, while reflecting on what their exemplary outings meant to a country passionate about sports.

• Desperate rush for top five place and Champions League
• Kano Emirate: Security operatives seal Galadima’s residence as Sanusi, Bayero turban appointees

 

Moses Effiong

The first Nigerian sports personality to pass away in 2025 was Moses Effiong, who had a distinguished career as a goalkeeper. He was a member of Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team. Effiong also represented Nigeria at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, where the national team finished in 13th place. At the club level, he played for Shooting Stars in Ibadan. After his playing career, Effiong transitioned into coaching, notably serving as a coach for Akwa United. He passed away in the United States on January 26, 2025 after a prolonged illness.

 

Abubakar Lawal

Abubakar Lawal (September 3, 1995–February 24, 2025) was a Nigerian professional footballer who played as a forward. A former Flying Eagles player, Lawal had stints with Wikki Tourists and Nasarawa United before moving abroad to join AS Kigali, and later, Vipers SC in the Uganda Premier League.

Lawal tragically passed away after falling from the third floor of a shopping arcade in Kampala, Uganda. He was 29 years old at the time of his death. He has since been buried in his home town in Sokoto State.

 

Christian Chukwu

Christian Chukwu Okoro was a legendary figure in Nigerian football, both as a player and coach. As a defender, he captained the Nigerian national team, then known as the Green Eagles, from 1974 to 1980. Under his leadership, Nigeria won her first African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1980. Chukwu earned 54 caps and scored 5 goals for the national team.

Following his playing career, he managed several teams, including Enugu Rangers, the Kenya national team, and the Nigerian national team, leading Nigeria to the semifinals of the 2004 African Cup of Nations. He was also involved in football administration, serving as the general manager and chief executive officer of Enugu Rangers.

Chukwu passed away after a protracted illness on April 12, 2025 in Enugu at the age of 74.

 

Charles Bassey

Charles Bassey, a 1980 AFCON-winning hero died at 71, just hours after his former captain, Christian Chukwu, passed on. As a versatile and hardworking forward, he became an integral part of the Super Eagles squad that made history on March 22, 1980 when Nigeria lifted its first-ever AFCON title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

At post-retirement, he became a respected coach, mentoring players at different clubs across the country. From Calabar Rovers to his hometown club, Mobil Pegasus, and stints with BCC Lions, Flash Flamingoes, Akwa United and Wikki Tourists, Bassey became a fixture on the touchlines of Nigerian football.

 

Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju

On March 29, 2025, Olanrewaju collapsed during the third round of a light-heavyweight bout against Ghanaian boxer, Jon Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

Despite an immediate medical attention and being rushed to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, he was pronounced dead 30 minutes after arrival. Olanrewaju, 40, held the Nigerian light heavyweight title and the West African Boxing Union (WABU) light heavyweight title.

 

 Bosede Momoh

Bosede Adijat Momoh was a respected Nigerian sports official and former FIFA-badged referee who retired in 2020 after 11 years as an elite referee. 

Following her retirement from active officiating, she served as a National Physical Fitness instructor and an assessor with the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Momoh was also recognised for her contributions to martial arts development in the Federal Capital Territory. She passed away on Easter Sunday, April 22 at the National Hospital in Abuja.

 

Tade Azeez

Otunba Tade Azeez was a president of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) and the vice chairman of the Lagos State Football Association.

Azeez was known for his firm leadership and commitment to integrity in officiating. He passed away a few days after the demise of Momoh. The sad incident came as a rude shock to the sports fraternity in Nigeria, especially among members of the NRA.

 

Mohammed Sani Abdul

Sani Abdul, a match commissioner in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 while returning to Maiduguri from Jos. He had travelled to Jos to oversee an NPFL fixture between Plateau United and Kwara United, which took place the day before his death. Abdul also served as an auditor at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Within the same period, the Nigerian football community was thrown into mourning following the tragic loss of four young talents from the Lebwit Football Academy based in Kanke, Plateau State. These promising players recently lost their lives in a fatal motor accident on the Kwanam Maciji–Pankshin–Kanke road while returning from a friendly match in Pankshin.

The deceased players are Shikritda Giswa, Chabe Gontul, Nenyitwe Gopar and Dargak Caleb. Additionally, Ukeyima Thomas, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was among the deceased.

The accident also claimed the life of the vehicle’s driver. Other players sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Pankshin General Hospital. 

The loss of these sports personalities within a span of just four months has left an indelible scar on Nigerian sports. Their individual stories, marked by dedication, talents and national pride collectively represent a chapter of excellence that now belongs to memory.

While the circumstances of their deaths vary – from accidents and illnesses to sudden deaths in action – the outpouring of tributes underscores their impact on teammates, fans and the entire country.

As the Nigerian sports community continues to mourn, these athletes deserve more than remembrance – they deserve celebration for their lives, recognition for their achievements and lessons drawn from their journeys.

Though gone, their legacies live on in the hearts of fans, their families and history books of Nigerian sports, inspiring current and future generations to pursue greatness with passion, purpose and patriotism.