African athletics powerhouse Nigeria has withdrawn from the 2025 World Athletics Relays after host country China denied seven US-based athletes visas.

Although the locally based athletes were granted visas, the country decided to pull out of the championship set to begin this weekend.

The World Relays is a major championship scheduled to take place in Ghangzhou from May 10-11, and it brings together the world’s best relay teams competing for slots to automatically qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo this summer.

According to the list released by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), 17 athletes were to represent the country in four events: Men’s 4x100m relay, Women’s 4x100m relay, Mixed 4x100m relay, and Mixed 4x400m relay.

Nigeria had reached out to track and field’s governing body, World Athletics, calling for a qualification exemption, citing administrative failure by both the hosts and World Athletics to ensure fair access.

China and the USA are currently embroiled in a trade war with far-reaching implications after American President Donald Trump started imposing tariffs and trade barriers on Chinese goods.

The Trump administration claimed China was engaging in unfair trade practices and China has hit back with equal sanctions.

Some of the Nigerian stars to missed the Relays will be Tobi Amusan, the 100 hurdle world record holder who trains in Jamaica under the guidance of veteran coach Glen Mills.

Amusan was down to compete in the 4×100 alongside Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, Success Umukoro, Tiana Eyakpobeyan, and Jennifer Chukwuka.