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World record holder Tobi Amusan has led a chorus of praise for fellow Nigerian athlete Ezekiel Nathaniel, who celebrated his graduation from Baylor University, Texas, in style.
Nathaniel, one of Nigeria’s brightest track stars, shared the joyous moment on social media on Sunday, posting photos from his convocation ceremony with the caption, “4 years well spent.”
His post quickly drew a flood of congratulations from teammates, fans, and colleagues across the athletics world, all commending him for excelling both on the track and in the classroom.
Amusan, the reigning world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, wrote under his post, “Last slide Issa must, congratulations agba runner,” in a lighthearted reference to a vintage photo of Nathaniel showing off his wristwatch.
Fellow athletes also joined in the celebration. Quarter-miler Chidi Okezie commented, “Congratulations bro,” while African shot put record holder Chukwuebuka Enekwechi added, “Congrats, my boy.” Discus thrower Obiageri Amaechi kept it short and cheerful with, “Congratulations!”
Tributes also poured in from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, coach Edidiog Udo, Badejo Emmanuel, and American sprinter and Tokyo 2025 gold medallist Trayvon Bromell, among others.
During his four years at Baylor, Nathaniel carved his name into the university’s athletics history. His performances on the track and his leadership off it earned him admiration and respect in the sport.
In his final year, he was named the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Track Athlete of the Year, capping a season of extraordinary dominance. He also became Baylor’s first-ever finalist for the prestigious Bowerman Award, the highest individual honour in U.S. collegiate track and field.
Nathaniel’s 2025 campaign was one for the record books. He clinched the NCAA title in the 400m hurdles in Eugene, Oregon, and ran four of the ten fastest times in NCAA history. He narrowly missed another crown in the indoor 400m at the NCAA Championships, clocking 45.44 seconds, just one-hundredth of a second behind the winner.
At the Big 12 Indoor Championships, he ran 44.74 seconds, the seventh-fastest indoor 400m ever recorded in collegiate history. By the end of the season, he had compiled an impressive 8-1 record in event finals, remaining unbeaten in the 400m hurdles outdoors.
After wrapping up his collegiate career, Nathaniel signed a professional deal with Swiss sportswear brand On, continuing his rise on the global circuit. He featured prominently in the Diamond League, reaching multiple finals and cementing his reputation as one of Africa’s top track prospects.
In 2025, he broke the Nigerian national record in the men’s 400m hurdles for the sixth time at the World Championships, where he finished fourth overall.
The Delta State-born athlete will next be honoured at the USTFCCCA Convention on December 18 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Centre in Grapevine, Texas, where the 2025 Bowerman Award winner will be announced.
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