National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade found himself at the centre of a firestorm after a joint “Stop the Xenophobia” message with South African sprinter Akani Simbine drew furious reactions from Nigerians – though the anger was aimed entirely at Simbine.
Olopade and Simbine had released the unity appeal from the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone on May 2‑3, with Simbine calling Botswana “home” and preaching continental togetherness. But Nigerians quickly accused Simbine of hypocrisy, citing ongoing xenophobic attacks on South African soil.
“How can he talk about unity while our people are being killed in Pretoria?” one user wrote. Others called the message “performative” and “insulting.”
Olopade, who travelled to Botswana to support Team Nigeria’s qualification for the 2027 World Championships, has not been criticised.
In fact, many Nigerians have praised his effort to use sports for diplomacy. The backlash remains focused on Simbine, exposing deep wounds in Nigeria‑South Africa relations.
