Team Nigeria quarter-miler Uko banned for two years by AIU over doping violation
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has officially banned Nigerian sprinter Imaobong Nse Uko for two years following a doping violation.
The sanction, listed in the AIU’s July 2025 update on disciplinary actions, retroactively disqualifies Uko from all results since June 5, 2024, the date of her infraction.
Uko, who made headlines by winning the World U20 400m title in 2022, was provisionally suspended on July 7, 2024. Her results from June 6 of the same year have been annulled, dealing a heavy blow to the promising sprinter’s rising career.
The AIU did not disclose the specific substance or nature of the anti-doping rule violation. However, it confirms Uko’s ineligibility will last until July 23, 2026, marking a two-year absence from competitive athletics during a critical phase of her development.
At just 19 years old when the infraction occurred, Uko had been seen as one of Nigeria’s brightest track prospects, celebrated for her smooth strides and dominance on the youth circuit.
This suspension represents a significant setback not only for Uko but also for Nigerian athletics, which continues to grapple with doping concerns in its elite ranks.
