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World Athletics has awarded Nigeria the right to host the inaugural Africa Running Conference in Lagos. To be staged in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Athletics and Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), organisers said the landmark event aims to promote health, fitness and athletic excellence with private sector engagement. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko highlighted the vision behind the conference, adding it aligns with the Commission’s long-term goals and the broader vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s desire to elevate Nigeria’s sports economy. “First and foremost, this conference is a reflection of our vision, the vision of the NSC and that of President Tinubu, to create a thriving sports ecosystem where sport is not just for recreation, but becomes a significant driver of national economic development. One of the core pillars of this strategy is to host more international sporting events across all disciplines. This is essential to unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria’s domestic sports industry. So when the opportunity to host the Africa Running Conference came up, we embraced it wholeheartedly,” Dikko noted. Also speaking, NSC Director General Bukola Olopade expressed pride and gratitude in welcoming the global sports community to Nigeria. “Today, my task is simple — to welcome you all. And I do so with a heart full of gratitude and excitement. For those who know my background, you’ll understand why this moment is so special. To see the NSC, in partnership with World Athletics and the AFN, successfully organize this ground-breaking conference is a significant milestone,” Olopade remarked. He emphasized the broader impact of the event: “This is the first of its kind in Nigeria and that speaks volumes. It shows that President Tinubu’s vision to galvanize sport into an economic tool is not just an idea; it’s already in motion.” “For World Athletics to choose Lagos, over nations like Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa with historic races like the Kilimanjaro Marathon and the Cape Town Marathon shows their confidence in Nigeria and the reforms currently underway.” Read Also: Ballon d’Or: NFF congratulates Nnadozie, Madugu In his remarks, Alessio Punzi, Head of Running and Mass Participation at World Athletics, reaffirmed the organization’s strong backing for the inaugural Africa Running Conference in Lagos. He described the event as “many years in the making,” and a critical step toward building a sustainable running culture across the continent. Reflecting on his early involvement with the Lagos City Marathon, Punzi recalled a serendipitous meeting in Monaco where he first heard about the race. Inspired by its potential, he committed to championing the event, which later earned the prestigious World Athletics Gold Label, a mark of global excellence in road racing. Punzi emphasized that the conference is more than just hosting another international event. It represents a strategic move toward building a full ecosystem around road running in Africa, one that includes grassroots development, technical training, and year-round engagement. He noted that the conference will feature two days of intensive technical workshops for national athletics federations across Africa, focusing on standardization, certification, and officiating. Ultimately, the Africa Running Conference is more than a sporting event, it is a statement of intent, a call to action, and a celebration of the growing synergy between sport, health, education, and economic development in Nigeria.
