Rashidi Oshoba, Nigeria’s first Olympic torchbearer, has lamented that he is yet to receive the compensation allegedly promised to him by former President Muhammadu Buhari despite meeting him at the Presidential Villa in 2016.
Oshoba made the revelation in an interview with Punch Newspapers, on Thursday, 18 June 2026, where he recounted his decades-long struggle for recognition and financial compensation for his contributions to Nigerian sports. The former athlete said he had hoped his meeting with Buhari would finally bring an end to his long wait.
Speaking during the interview, Oshoba recalled that Buhari personally assured him that the Federal Government would compensate him after learning about his situation. According to him, the discussion also touched on the amount that had been approved.
“This was where my statue was erected at Alhaji Masha Junction, National Stadium. I saw late Buhari in person in 2016 inside the Aso Rock Villa. He promised to compensate me. I asked him how much the total money was and he said it was N920,000,000,” Oshoba said.
The sports icon expressed disappointment that nearly a decade after the meeting, the promised payment has not materialised. He suggested that despite receiving assurances from the late president, no concrete steps were taken to fulfil the pledge.
Oshoba’s comments have once again drawn attention to the welfare of retired Nigerian sports heroes, many of whom have repeatedly complained about neglect after bringing honour to the country through their achievements.
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