The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) announced a delegation of 25 female athletes and 20 male athletes for the competition, which will take place from May 12 to 17 at the University of Ghana Sports Complex.

Amusan will compete in the women’s 100m hurdles event alongside Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday. Sprint star Rosemary Chukwuma also returns to action after missing the World Relays in Gaborone and will feature in the 100m as well as the women’s 4x100m relay team, which includes Miracle Ezechukwu, Maria Thompson-Omokwe, and Tejiri Ugoh.

Other members of the women’s team include Patience Okon-George in the 400m, Ruth Usoro in the long jump, and hammer throw specialist Oyesade Olatoye.

However, notable absentees include long jump star Ese Brume and discus thrower Chioma Onyekwere, who has recently been exploring a switch to weightlifting ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

On the men’s side, sprinter Favour Ashe and shot put standout Chukwuebuka Enekwechi headline Nigeria’s medal hopefuls.

The men’s sprint lineup also features Enoch Adegoke, Usheoritse Itsekiri, and Chidera Ezeakor, while Samson Nathaniel, Emmanuel Ojeli, and Chidi Okezie will compete in the 400m and relay events. Field event athletes include Romeo Bernard, Emmanuel Audu, and javelin thrower Adams Samuel Kure.

A key highlight of the squad is the inclusion of decathlon national record holder Jami Schlueter, who will be making his championship debut for Nigeria after switching allegiance from Great Britain. Schlueter recently set a national indoor heptathlon record of 5,871 points in Indianapolis, moving up to second on Africa’s all-time list.

The appointments were approved by the NFF Executive Committee following recommendations from the federation’s Technical and Development Committee, with Maikaba taking charge of the Flying Eagles while Uwejamomere assumes leadership of the Golden Eaglets.

Maikaba returns to Nigeria’s youth football structure with significant prior experience, having previously managed the Golden Eaglets and served as assistant coach of the Flying Eagles under former coach Paul Aigbogun.

Widely respected in the domestic football scene, Maikaba has handled several top Nigeria Premier Football League clubs, including Enyimba, Wikki Tourists, Kano Pillars, and Plateau United. His most notable club achievement came in 2017 when he led Akwa United to victory in the President’s Federation Cup.

Uwejamomere, on the other hand, brings extensive technical and analytical expertise to the Golden Eaglets role. He has previously worked as a coach-analyst with the Super Eagles and also contributed to the Super Falcons’ technical crew.

Currently serving as head of academy at Sporting Lagos FC, Uwejamomere has also gained valuable international development experience through roles with English clubs such as Millwall, Gillingham, and Nottingham Forest, in addition to a stint as head coach of Stormers FC.

The appointments signal the NFF’s renewed commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s youth football development system ahead of future international competitions.