By Nengi Ernest 

Veteran sports journalist and accomplished media administrator, Dr. Nneka Nkem Anibeze, has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) by the re-elected President, Chief Tonobok Okowa.

Her appointment was announced in Abuja shortly after Okowa took the oath of office for his second term as AFN President. With nearly three decades of experience in sports journalism, broadcast leadership, and government communication, Dr. Anibeze is expected to inject renewed professionalism and structure into the federation’s operations.

A former Director at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Anibeze has served as Special Assistant on Media to former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung. She also held similar advisory roles with a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, and most recently served as Media Adviser to the current Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy.

Known for her strong voice in sports development and media advocacy, Dr. Anibeze has been instrumental in promoting women’s participation in sports and journalism. Her appointment as COO is widely seen as a strategic step toward strengthening the federation’s communication, governance, and stakeholder engagement frameworks.

Also appointed to the AFN board is Dr. Samuel Kolawole Oredipe, who will serve as Auditor of the Federation. Dr. Oredipe is the Vice Chairman of the Bayelsa State Athletics Association and the founder of Samkay Athletics Club. A former middle-distance athlete, he was a candidate for the South-South Zonal Representative position during the recent AFN elections in Benin City, Edo State. He is also an Assistant Director of News at the FRCN and currently serves as Director-General, New Media to the Bayelsa State Governor.

Chief Okowa also named Barrister Bamidele Edokpaye as the Legal Adviser of the federation, while Mr. Babajide Odedeji will serve as the Safeguarding Officer.

The appointments reflect a deliberate move by the AFN President to build a more experienced and technically sound leadership team ahead of crucial national and international engagements.