Nigerian sprint sensation Samuel Ogazi has officially announced his decision to turn professional, bringing an end to a remarkable collegiate career with the University of Alabama.
The 400m specialist made the decision after three outstanding seasons with the Crimson Tide, opting to forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility following a record-breaking 2026 campaign.
Ogazi enjoyed a historic season, rewriting the Nigerian men’s 400m record on multiple occasions. He first clocked 44.02 seconds to surpass the previous national mark before improving it successively to 43.95s, 43.82s and finally an astonishing 43.38s.
His sensational 43.38-second performance, achieved just two weeks ago, made him the fourth-fastest man in history over the distance and cemented his place among the world’s elite quarter-milers.
During his time at the University of Alabama, Ogazi also set multiple school records and concluded his collegiate career as the fastest 400m runner in NCAA history.
The Nigerian star is now expected to begin the next chapter of his career on the professional circuit, where he will aim to build on his outstanding performances and challenge for global honours.
