Nigeria to Host First-Ever Africa Road Running Race in Lagos — NSC, AFN, and World Athletics Announce 2026 Event

The National Sports Commission (NSC), in partnership with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and World Athletics, has announced plans to host the maiden edition of the Africa Road Running Race in Lagos come February 2026.

The event, the first of its kind on the continent, aims to promote the culture of road running and expand Africa’s participation in global athletics.

Speaking during a world press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, the Head of Road Race Running at World Athletics, Alexis Cisternino, revealed that the Lagos race would serve as a corporate sporting event rather than a competition for professional athletes.

Cisternino explained that World Athletics endorsed the initiative in recognition of the rapid growth of sports across Nigeria and Africa. “The road race concept began in the 1970s and was revived between 2022 and 2023 with events such as the London City Race,” he said.

He added that the Lagos edition is part of a broader plan to strengthen road running on the continent, alongside a two-day technical workshop to build local capacity and align African events with international standards.

“Our goal is to ensure that the upcoming 10km race in Abuja meets the same global benchmarks as races in cities like Sydney,” Cisternino noted.

NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, said the Commission fully supports the event as it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for youth and sports development. He highlighted Nigeria’s growing enthusiasm for long-distance running and the NSC’s commitment to reviving training centres in Plateau, Taraba, and Adamawa States.

“Road races are now becoming part of Nigeria’s sports culture,” Dikko said. “We are excited to see cities like Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kaduna, and Okpekpe embracing marathon events. The Africa Road Running Race will further deepen public participation and strengthen our athletics ecosystem.”

He also confirmed that cash prizes would be awarded to both local and international participants.

The NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade, disclosed that discussions are ongoing to engage athletics federations across Africa and attract corporate sponsorship for the event. He praised World Athletics for selecting Nigeria ahead of other strong contenders such as South Africa and Kenya.

“It’s a great honour that Nigeria was chosen to host this historic event,” Olopade said.

Similarly, the Second Vice President of the AFN, Solomon Ogba, described the event as a major boost for Lagos and Nigeria’s sports tourism. He noted that the Africa Road Running Race would take place shortly after the 2026 Lagos Marathon, positioning the city as a prime destination for international road racing events.