The sudden passing of Nigerian gymnastics coach and sports administrator, Anthony Asuquo, has sparked widespread concern and calls for an investigation, as friends and associates question the circumstances surrounding his death.
Asuquo, founder of Tony International Gymnastics, TIG, Club, was described by those close to him as healthy and active shortly before he died. This has fuelled public speculation and heightened demands for clarity.
One of his childhood friends, Olawale Samuel Akindairo, publicly raised concerns in a Facebook post, alleging that Asuquo died just hours after informing friends that ₦11 million had been withdrawn from his bank account by his wife. Akindairo argued that the timing of events makes a thorough probe necessary.
“The sudden death needs to be investigated,” he wrote, urging authorities to take the matter seriously.
In the same post, Akindairo appealed to the Nigerian Senate to intervene and also called on former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, noting his close relationship with the late coach.
“Professor Yemi Osinbajo, your good friend Anthony Asuquo died under mysterious circumstances. A man who was hale and hearty passed on a few hours after telling his friends that his wife withdrew his ₦11 million,” he stated.
Akindairo further reflected on Asuquo’s personal journey, describing him as a self-made individual who worked tirelessly to build his career and uplift his community.
“Anthony Asuquo rose from grass to grace. He worked hard to build a name for himself, his family, and the children of Army Cantonment Barracks, Lagos,” he added, calling attention to the need for accountability.
He concluded with a direct appeal to lawmakers: “The Nigerian Senate should take note of this. Adieu, Coach Anthony.”
Beyond the controversy, Asuquo was widely respected for his contributions to gymnastics in Nigeria. In 2024, he led athletes from his TIG Club to represent Nigeria at the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics event in Anadia, Portugal, where the team won gold, silver, and bronze medals.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Sports Commission, NSC, led by Abdullahi Dikko, nor the Nigerian Gymnastics Federation, NGF, has released an official statement on the matter.
The silence from relevant authorities has continued to intensify public interest and calls for transparency regarding the death of the respected gymnastics coach.