Over 2,000 athletes to compete at MTN Champs Season 3 in Lagos
A total of 2,505 athletes across 155 secondary schools are gearing up to compete for glory at the highly anticipated MTN Champs Season 3 in Lagos, scheduled to take place from April 9th to 12th, 2025.
The Lagos Continental Relay is the continuation of the third season of MTN Champs, which started in Benin, Edo, last month and will feature a four-day athletics showcase will unfold simultaneously at the Yabatech Sports Complex and the UNILAG Sports Complex as young talents go head-to-head in various track and field events.
Present at the briefing on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the MTN Plaza, Ikoyi, Lagos State were several dignitaries, including Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Damilare Orimoloye, Country Manager, Making of Champions (MoC), Deji Ogeyinbo, Chief Marketing Officer MTN, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer MTN, Tobe Okigbi, MTN Academy Athletes amongst others.
Chief Marketing Officer MTN, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, highlighted the significance of the event, noting that this marks the first time the competition has been held in Lagos.
“This is a very special occasion for us at MTN, and we are glad to be having the second phase here in Lagos,” she said.
“Lagos has always been a hub of energy, talent, and opportunity, and bringing MTN Champs here aligns perfectly with our mission to discover and nurture young athletic talent across Nigeria.
“We believe this platform is not just about sports, but about inspiring dreams, building confidence, and giving our youth the tools to succeed on and off the track.”
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Speaking on the impressive turnout in Lagos, Onyinye revealed that the state recorded the highest number of registrations so far. She also noted that, to heighten the excitement around the event, MTN officials will join government representatives in a special relay race, adding a fun and engaging twist to the competition.
She said, “Lagos has the highest number of schools and school children within the MTN Champs age bracket, and we believe this city will continue to be a key player in uncovering the next generation of Nigerian athletes, to add to the excitement, MTN staff and the government officials will also compete in a special 4×100 relay event on April 12 at the Yaba Tech Sports Complex, adding a fun and competitive spirit to the event.”
Mr. Fatodu expressed full support for the event, stating that the Lagos State Government is committed to the growth of sports in the state.
He said, “We are fully behind initiatives like MTN Champs that nurture the athletic potential of our youth,” platforms like this not only help discover future champions but also keep our young people engaged, focused, and inspired. As a government, we understand the critical role sports play in youth development and social impact. That’s why we are actively working on upgrading and renovating various stadia across the state, like the Teslim Balogun Stadium, and the governor just approved the commissioning of some sporting facilities that we would begin to see in the coming weeks, to create more opportunities for training, talent discovery, and community engagement. Our goal is to elevate the standard of sports in Lagos and ensure our athletes have the facilities they need to thrive.”
Making of Champions Country Manager, Deji Ogeyinbo, underscored the group’s mission to restore Nigeria’s athletic glory, stating, “At Making of Champions, we’ve made it our mandate to revive Track and Field in Nigeria. It’s our biggest sport, judging by the medals we’ve won at the Olympics. We believe that with the right investment, grassroots development, and structured athlete support, Nigeria can reclaim its place as a global force in athletics.”
The competition will also feature international athletes from Republic of Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire participate in senior races, adding a continental flair to this year’s edition. According to the organisers, this is part of a broader vision to transform MTN Champs into a truly global event in the coming years, one that attracts elite young athletes from around the world. By gradually expanding its reach beyond Nigeria and West Africa, the organisers aim to position the competition as an international hub for youth athletics, fostering cross-cultural sportsmanship and showcasing emerging talent on a global stage.