World News Update

PRESS STATEMENT  The National Sports Commission has congratulated Nigeria’s para-badminton star, Eniola Mariam Bolaji, for achieving the historic feat of becoming the World Number One in the Women’s SL3 category. Bolaji climbed to the summit of the global rankings with 63,950 points, displacing Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh, following her outstanding performance at the World Para Badminton Championships where she reached the final and claimed a silver medal.  In doing so, she also became the first African athlete to play in the final of the World Championships in para-badminton. Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described Bolaji’s achievement as a defining moment for Nigerian sports. The Director General of the Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, commended the Badminton Federation of Nigeria for its strategic development of the sport and dedication to athlete welfare. “If you take care of the athletes, they will always return with medals and global r...

PRESS STATEMENT  The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially constituted the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 3rd edition of the National Para Games, reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and the continued development of para sports in Nigeria. The National Para Games is an annual multi-sport event organized by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the NSC. The Games provide a competitive platform for Nigerian men and women living with disabilities, promoting excellence, healthy competition, and national unity through sports. The Commission has now constituted a thirteen-member Local Organising Committee made up of men and women of integrity to deliver a world-class Games.  The Committee is chaired by the Director, National Sports Festival & Para Sports Department, Mrs. Thecla Opara, while Mrs. Hauwa Saibu, serves as Secretary. Other members of the Committee include Raphael Odo, Mohammed Rabiu, Abdullahi Libata, Lambu Umar, Dr. Ozi Sal...

 PRESS RELEASE Nilayo Sports Management Limited extends its deepest appreciation to the tens of thousands of runners who participated in the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. We remain immensely proud of every athlete’s determination and the vibrant spirit that continues to make this marathon a defining moment for Lagos and Nigeria. However, we acknowledge with sincere concern that during medal distribution following the 10KM race category, an unexpected and dangerous crowd surge occurred at the 10KM medal collection point. In the interest of protecting the safety of our runners, volunteers, and staff, medal issuance was temporarily suspended while the situation was brought under control. This decision was taken solely as a safety precaution to prevent potential injuries. Most importantly, our hearts go out to everyone who was affected by the surge or experienced distress during this period. We understand the excitement and emotion that come with crossing the finish line, and w...

The 2026 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon came to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday, delivering a day filled with intrigue, suspense, action, love, and world-class entertainment as over 25,000 athletes converged on Nigeria’s commercial capital for Africa’s premier road race. Kenyan sensation Ezra Kering powered to victory, breasting the tape in an impressive 2:11:55 to claim the coveted $50,000 first prize. In a race marked by tactical brilliance and a dramatic final stretch, Uganda’s Lomoi Samuel followed closely in 2:11:59, earning $40,000 for second place. Fellow Ugandan Namutala Lumbasi completed the podium sweep with a strong finish in 2:12:25, taking home $30,000. In the women’s race, Ethiopia reigned supreme as Dinke Meleka surged to victory in 2:37:36, demonstrating poise and power to secure the championship title. Kenya’s Cheyech Daniel finished a close second in 2:37:43, while another Ethiopian, Zewdalem Getaw, placed third with a time of 2:38:59. Amid the elit...

Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering delivered a Valentine’s Day masterclass, storming to victory at the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, 14 February 2026. Kipchumba crossed the finish line at Eko Atlantic City in an impressive time of 2:11:55, clinching the $50,000 top prize in one of Africa’s most prestigious road races. Uganda dominated the other podium spots, with Lomoi Samuel finishing a close second in 2:11:59, while Namutala Kephar Lumbasi secured third place in 2:12:25, capping off a fiercely competitive men’s race. The Gold Label marathon is organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, under the leadership of Managing Director Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, and continues to raise the bar for long-distance running on the continent. In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Dinke Meseret Meleka claimed top honours, crossing the line in 2:37:36. Kenya’s Daniel Flomena Cheyech followed closely in 2:37:43, while Ethiopia’s Getaw Wgagen Zewdalem finished third in 2:38:59. An...

PRESS RELEASE The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has been honoured with the prestigious Sports Administrator of the Year award at the New Telegraph Awards, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to sports development in Nigeria. The award, which took place on Friday, celebrated Olopade’s transformative leadership, administrative excellence and longstanding commitment to building sustainable sports structures across the country. A seasoned sports administrator, Olopade has served twice as Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, where he spearheaded progressive reforms and talent development initiatives. His leadership footprint also spans multiple strategic roles within Nigeria’s sports ecosystem. He is a former President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, where he championed inclusivity and the advancement of para-sports.  He also served as Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria National League (NNL), strengtheni...

Lagos is set for a historic showdown as 28,000 registered runners hit the streets for the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, themed “New Steps, Fresh Goals – 14th Feb.” From elite athletes to fitness enthusiasts, the energy across the city is electric as participants prepare to take on either the 42KM full marathon or the 10KM race in one of Africa’s most prestigious road races. *Mainland Runners Covered* To ensure a smooth and stress-free race morning, organizers have put transportation plans in place for runners coming from the Mainland. Pickup Location: Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere First Bus: 4:00 AM Last Bus: 5:00 AM Buses will depart promptly, and runners are strongly advised to arrive early as race day waits for no one. The organizing committee emphasized that participants should not wait until the final bus to avoid unnecessary delays. *Medal Cut-Off Time – 12:30 PM* All finishers who cross the finish line on or before 12:30 PM will receive an official finisher’s medal. A...

The organisers of the gold-labelled Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, have described the 11th edition of the race scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2026, as iconic, marking the beginning of a new decade for one of Africa’s most prestigious road races. Speaking at a press conference held at the Access Bank headquarters in Lagos to herald the commencement of the race, the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, said the 2026 edition represents growth, resilience and renewed ambition for the marathon. She expressed appreciation to Access Bank, other corporate sponsors and the Lagos State Government for their unwavering support and commitment to the annual event. “This 11th edition is symbolic for us. It is not just another race, it signals the beginning of another decade of excellence, impact and global recognition for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon”. “We are deeply grateful to Access Bank, our valued sponsors a...

With just two days to the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, excitement has reached fever pitch as award-winning music sensation Shoday has been confirmed to perform live at the Post Race Party. The party is organized to celebrate runners and the event, at Eko Atlantic City, as organizers say Saturday promises not only world-class athletic competition but also a vibrant celebration of music, culture and community. As thousands of elite and non-elite runners prepare to take on the challenge across Africa’s most iconic city, organisers added an electrifying twist to the Valentine’s Day showdown, a live performance from Shoday to welcome athletes and fans at the finish line. The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has grown into one of Africa’s premier road races, attracting international stars, elite Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, and Nigeria’s finest long-distance athletes.  Beyond the race itself, the event continues to boost sports tourism, showcase Lagos to the world, and create an...

PRESS STATEMENT  The House of Representatives has called for increased budgetary allocation for sports to fast-track the achievement of Nigeria’s sports development objectives. The call was made during the Commission’s 2026 budget defence before the House Committee on Sports. Lawmakers commended the NSC for prudent utilization of resources and visible improvements across the sports sector, noting that both approval and diligent implementation of budgetary provisions remain critical to sustained progress. Presenting the Commission’s proposal, Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, outlined plans to consolidate recent gains through strategic investments in infrastructure and sports development. “We are building on a foundation to Reset, Refocus, and Relaunch our sports sector. It is built on the back of transparency and measurable results,” Dikko said. “Our 2026 budget proposal prioritizes many areas and not limited to infrastructure renewal, youth talent development and strengthen...

With just three days to the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, a familiar question is back on the streets and among athletics watchers across the country: who will rise to surpass the Nigerian standard set by Nyango Gyang Boyi? Boyi etched his name into the history of the race as the first Nigerian to finish the Lagos marathon, delivering a landmark performance that redefined local ambition. He powered his way into the overall top 10, finishing eighth with a time of 2:25:41.58, a result that carried both prestige and reward. That historic run earned Boyi a $4,000 prize for his overall placement, alongside the ₦2 million top prize in the Nigerian category. More importantly, it proved that Nigerian runners could compete shoulder to shoulder with elite international fields on home soil. As the countdown ticks on, attention now shifts to the next wave of local contenders. Can anyone match Boyi’s grit, pace and composure over 42.195 kilometres? Or will a new name emerge to push the benchmark ...

PRESS STATEMENT Nigeria  will take centre stage in African road running as Lagos State hosts the Africa Running Conference 2026, a two-day continental gathering designed to reshape the future of running and mass participation sports across Africa. The conference, organised under the auspices of World Athletics in collaboration with the National Sport Commission, will hold on Thursday, February 12 (Workshops) and Friday, February 13, 2026 (Conference), ahead of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon scheduled for February 14, 2026. With the theme “Reshaping Running and Mass Participation in Africa: Embracing the Global Community,” the conference will bring together leading voices from global and African athletics, sports governance, finance, and mass participation platforms to discuss sustainability, innovation and growth in road running. A distinguished lineup of speakers has been confirmed for the event, including Dr. Paul Tergat, former marathon world record holder, Kenyan Olympic l...

 _tasks the new board to align its mandate with the RHINSE Agenda_ The National Sports Commission, NSC , has charged the new board of the Nigeria Federation of American Football, NFAF, to set new standards and write their names in Gold as pioneer members of the board of the American Football Federation. This is according to the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko as he officially inaugurated the latest Sport Federation in the Country. The NSC Boss who commended the charismatic leadership of the Director General, Hon Bukola Olopade, for brokering peace amongst the various Warring factions in the Sports, said Nigeria can now fully maximise the potential it has in American football with the Sports being officially run as a Federation. " Just days ago, the world watched the Super Bowl, the biggest stage in American football. That event gave Nigerians much to be proud of. Six athletes of Nigerian descent took part in the game, four of them emerged on the winning side". " ...

Its bid to stage a successful  second edition of the African Youth Games, tagged Abuja 2027, the National Sports Commission has officially inaugurated the Local Organising Committee for the Games. The 28 member committee was inaugurated by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC , Mallam Shehu Dikko, with the clear mandate to organise the best ever staged youth Games on the continent. The Chairman assured the LOC of the Commission's  total support to deliver on the given assignment while assuring the rest of Africa and ANOCA of the federal Government's commitment to host an international standard games. " I congratulate all the LOC members on their appointments, knowing full well that you all have been entrusted with a serious national assignment. Your work will require planning, coordination, transparency and team work for the desired success to be achieved". " I want to assure all our African partners and stakeholders that Abuja 2027 will be safe, w...

PRESS STATEMENT Twenty-six (26) Nigerian athletes have received a major morale boost ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, as the National Sports Commission (NSC), through its Elite and Podium Board, has disbursed training grants totaling over ₦200 million to selected top-performing athletes. The athletes were drawn from both foreign-based and home-based categories, benefitting from the grants, as it will cater for their training and preparation expenses. The recipients cut across several sports, including athletics, wrestling, weightlifting and para-sports, in line with the Commission’s mandate to prioritise athlete welfare and high-performance development. The disbursement follows the establishment of the Elite and Podium Board, created to implement a scientific and institutionalised support system aimed at sustaining peak performances by Nigerian athletes at major international competitions. Athletes in weightlifting, athletics, taekwondo, powerlifting, para table tennis,...

With four days to go until the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, excitement shifts to the official marathon Expo, which began on Monday, February 9 and runs through February 13 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. The Expo serves as the heartbeat of the marathon build-up, bringing together runners, partners, health experts and fans ahead of race day.  MD/CEO Nilayo Sports, Mrs Yetunde Olopade said “this Expo reflects our commitment to wellness, inclusion and awareness. From health talks to exhibitions, it creates an opportunity to encourage people of all ages to embrace fitness as a lifestyle, not just a one-day event.” Participants will complete kit pick-up, explore exhibitions from leading brands and stakeholders, and engage in health talks focused on fitness, wellness and endurance. As Lagos counts down to race day, the Expo sets the tone, creating a vibrant meeting point where preparation meets anticipation, and the city’s marathon spirit comes alive.

PRESS STATEMENT As Nigeria’s sports ecosystem prepares for the historic inauguration of the newly constituted Board of the Nigeria Federation of American Football (NFAF), two of the country’s leading women’s sports bodies, the National Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS) and the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN) have secured representation on the board. The new board will be officially inaugurated on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by the National Sports Commission (NSC) at its headquarters in Abuja at 1 p.m.  The inauguration will coincide with the meeting of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the second edition of the 2027 African School Sports Games, scheduled for the same day. NAWIS and AFFAN have nominated Dr. Oluyomi Oluwasanmi and Uchenna Usife, respectively, to serve as members of the board. The inclusion of representatives from both organisations reflects the NSC’s continued commitment to promoting gender inclusion and balanced representation in...

Members of the Sporting Media are hereby invited to these events ;  *Inauguration of the LOC of the 2nd edition of the 2027  African School Sports*  Time ; 11 pm  Venue ; Media Centre Moshood Abiola National stadium Abuja  Date ; Tuesday, February 10th 2026  *Inauguration of the New board of the Nigeria Federation of American Football NFAF*  Time ; 1 pm  Venue ; Media Centre Moshood Abiola National stadium Abuja  Date ; Tuesday, February 10th 2026

With five days left to the February 14 showdown, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is already crackling with intrigue, expectation and quiet tension.  From elite runners plotting their race-day strategies to Lagosians preparing to line the streets, the city is once again counting down to a contest where endurance, pride and serious prize money collide. This year’s marathon carries added edge, with a lucrative prize purse that continues to attract top international and local athletes.  The winner will walk away with $50,000, while strong rewards await finishers across the podium and performance categories, a financial incentive that raises the stakes and guarantees an uncompromising battle from start to finish. Presidential Spokesperson and Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Hon. Sunday Dare, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and former Super Eagles international, Seyi George Olofinjana, are among the high-profile figures expected...

Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the World Athletics African Running Conference, Chief Solomon Ogba, says Nigeria is on the verge of becoming Africa’s leading destination for road races. Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated African Running Conference scheduled to hold in Lagos from Feb. 12–13, 2026, the globally respected sports administrator said Nigeria is finally taking its place as a sporting powerhouse, citing the growing feasibility and success of road races in the country. Ogba said the upcoming conference is a clear testament to the progress made in the organization of world-class marathons in Nigeria. “We are making significant progress in road races, and the entire world is aware of this. That is why I am very excited about the upcoming Running Conference in Lagos,” Ogba said. He noted that the conference will bring together leading experts and stakeholders from across the globe. “It will be a gathering of the best minds in road running, from the world govern...

PRESS STATEMENT  _Adeleye leads Nigeria into World Group II_ The National Sports Commission (NSC) has congratulated the entire Nigerian tennis family following the country’s qualification into the Davis Cup World Group II, after a hard-fought victory over Uzbekistan in the World Group II Promotion Playoffs. Daniel Adeleye emerged as the hero of the tie, firing Nigeria past Uzbekistan to cap an impressive home campaign at the historic Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, 1895. Nigeria sealed the tie with a match to spare, confirming promotion after Adeleye delivered the decisive point on Sunday with a composed 6–3, 6–4 victory over Ilya Ignatov in the reverse singles to give the hosts an unassailable 3–1 lead. Reacting to the achievement, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the players, officials and organisers for a job well done. “We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of these players and the Nigeria Tennis Federation. We commend everyone wh...

PRESS STATEMENT Nigeria’s sports sector has recorded significant gains under the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), with Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade overseeing what has been described as a strategic renaissance marked by global success, economic impact and institutional reform. Guided by the RHINSE Blueprint between 2024 and 2025, Team Nigeria secured 373 medals globally, including 197 gold, 119 silver and 77 bronze medals, across multi-sport games, continental championships and international competitions.  The achievements have reinforced Nigeria’s growing competitiveness and ambition to position itself as Africa’s leading sports powerhouse. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while hailing the performances, said Nigeria’s athletes had once again elevated the country’s global image. “In 2025, scores of athletes representing Nigeria made our nation proud,” the President said. Beyond podium finishes, the NSC’s reforms delivered meas...

PRESS STATEMENT President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, has praised the Federation’s board, key stakeholders, and players for their collective commitment and professionalism during Nigeria’s Davis Cup World Group II Playoff tie against Uzbekistan, describing the outing as a clear sign of progress in Nigerian tennis. Speaking after the opening matches at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Ochei said the Davis Cup return to Nigeria after 19 years reflects deliberate planning, improved governance, and growing confidence in the country’s tennis structure. The NTF President acknowledged the support of the National Sports Commission, led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, as well as sponsors and partners whose backing made the successful hosting of the Davis Cup possible. Ochei concluded by reaffirming the Federation’s long-term vision, noting that the Davis Cup experience will serve as a springboard for grassroots development, ...