Nigerian boxers are voicing growing frustration and anger over the continued delay in repatriating the body of Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, 50 days after his death during a boxing match in Ghana.
Olanrewaju, known in the ring as “Success,” collapsed during a bout against Ghanaian fighter Jon Mbanugu at Bukom Arena on March 29.
He was later pronounced dead at Korle-Bu Hospital.
Despite a seven-member committee submitting a report to Ghana’s Minister of Sports, Kofi Adams, there is still no timeline for returning his remains to Nigeria.
“It feels like the sports authorities don’t care about Nigerian boxers,” said professional fighter Taiwo Esepo.
“A Nigerian boxer dies abroad and no one is fighting for his parents. It’s heartbreaking and alarming.”
United Boxing Organization champion Idowu Rasheed, who had previously fought Olanrewaju, also expressed grief. “His death shook me deeply. I even thought of quitting boxing.
Now, 50 days later, his family still hasn’t seen his body. That’s not right.”
The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC) confirmed that a meeting was held Monday, but gave no clear update on when the body would be returned.
Abdul-Afeez Osoba, a Commonwealth Games medalist, said the delay defies both emotional and religious expectations.
“I wasn’t even close to him, but this situation is disturbing.
In Islam, burial should happen immediately. His family deserves closure.”
The prolonged wait continues to fuel outrage among Nigeria’s boxing community, who say silence and inaction from authorities only deepen their sense of abandonment.