Nigerian sprinter Godson Brume has been sentenced to 27 months in a United States federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm while living in the country on a student visa.
The sentence was announced on Tuesday by the United States Department of Justice, which also confirmed that Brume will face deportation after completing his prison term.
Brume, 23, admitted guilt in December 2025 during a hearing before Shelly Dick at a federal court. Under US law, individuals residing in the country on most non-immigrant visas are generally prohibited from possessing firearms, except under limited circumstances.
Court records showed that Brume, who was studying in the United States on an F-1 student visa, admitted to possessing and discharging a Glock 43X 9mm pistol during an altercation involving his former girlfriend at his apartment in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on February 7, 2025.
The athlete moved to the United States in 2022 after receiving an athletics scholarship to study and compete at Louisiana State University, where he continued his sprinting career while pursuing his education.
Brume is the younger brother of Ese Brume, one of Nigeria’s most accomplished track and field athletes. Before his legal troubles, he represented Nigeria internationally and won a silver medal in the men’s 4×100 metres relay at the 2024 African Athletics Championships in Cameroon.
He is also recognised as the fourth-fastest Nigerian in the men’s 100 metres, with a personal best time of 9.90 seconds, making him one of the country’s brightest sprint prospects.
The conviction marks a major setback for the promising athlete, whose career had been on an upward trajectory before the firearm offence. Following the completion of his 27-month prison sentence, US immigration authorities are expected to begin deportation proceedings.
