Lagos Women Run Expo Showcases Sports, Empowerment and Global Participation

Sidikat Folami, project lead of the ongoing Lagos Women Run Expo, has hailed the annual race as a powerful platform for organisations to engage with women across Lagos State and beyond.

Speaking on the opening day of the 2025 Expo at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, Folami emphasized the strong connection between sports and empowerment.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Lagos Women Run, Folami highlighted that the three-day Expo offers attendees valuable learning opportunities, supported strongly by the Lagos State government.

“Sports is first a unifier. Promoting sports draws attention to other programmes linked to it. By combining sports with empowerment, women are made aware that beyond the race, there are additional opportunities to benefit,” she said.

Representing the Mateen Lander Impact Foundation, Folami explained that training sessions at the Expo cover topics such as Waste to Wealth, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. “Many women train without fully understanding how to run a business. Our sessions go beyond skills, providing practical business knowledge,” she added.

At the kits collection point on Wednesday, several international participants were spotted, including Sherine Rives from the American Women’s Club, Zimbabwean Ambassador Blessed Dube, and a Danish runner.

The Expo concludes today with activities across three venues, culminating in the main Lagos Women Run event at Teslim Balogun Stadium.