Isah admitted 2020 was a devastating year for Para-athletes due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which notably forced the Olympics and Paralympics to be postponed until 2021.

But the secretary general remains optimistic of the country’s medal prospects as Nigeria prepares for its eighth successive appearance at the Summer Paralympics.

"[Paralympic] sport was the worst hit in the year 2020 because many athletes, who had hoped that their participation in the Paralympics Games will increase their economic gains and to get them endorsements, but unfortunately COVID-19 stopped many athletes from competing in the qualifiers," said Isah, as reported by Leadership.

"We pray that when the windows are open in January or February we can regain what we lost in 2020.

"I am confident that the special athletes will not disappoint Nigeria in 2021."

Currently, nine Nigerian athletes are set to participate at Tokyo 2020 after gaining qualification.

Six are due to compete in table tennis, while Nigeria is also set to have two representatives in athletics and one in rowing.

"We have five sports which are our strengths for the Paralympics Games," added Isah, who is also President of the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation.

"We are hoping that we will do well in Para-powerlifting, athletics, we have six players who have already qualified in the Para-table tennis, also one athlete has qualified in rowing.

"These are the areas we have a comparative advantage.

"We are still expecting more athletes to qualify for the Paralympics Games."

A total of 23 athletes represented Nigeria in three sports at Rio 2016. 

The country finished 17th in the medals table after securing eight golds, two silvers and two bronzes.

Roland Ezuruike, Paul Kehinde, Lucy Ejike, Ndidi Nwosu, Bose Omolayo and Josephine Orji were all crowned champions in Para-powerlifting.

There were also golds for Flora Ugwunwa in the women’s javelin throw F45 and Lauritta Onye in the women’s shot put F40.