NSC DG, Hon. Bukola Olopade hails Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Posted : 24 February 2025

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, on Saturday described the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon as a prime example of a thriving sports economy, emphasizing its significant impact on commerce, tourism, and job creation.

The 10th edition of the marathon, organized by Nilayo Sports Management Company Limited, was successfully held last Saturday, marking another milestone in its history.

The event, which has evolved into a world-class sports carnival, attracted over 25,000 runners, including 400 international athletes and 100 elite competitors.

Olopade stated that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has grown beyond just a race, becoming a full-fledged sports commerce ecosystem that benefits multiple sectors and thousands of individuals.

Olopade, a two-time Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, noted that over the past 10 years, the marathon has provided a source of livelihood for thousands across various industries.

"This is exactly what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, envisioned when he re-established the National Sports Commission and appointed me and Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko to create an environment where sports is not just entertainment but also a business," he said.

"We can all see that the organizers of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon have successfully created a platform for wealth and job creation through this race over the past decade."

"People travel from all over the world and different states in Nigeria to participate, boosting the tourism and hospitality sectors of Lagos and the country at large.

"Additionally, the event stimulates various levels of commerce and business annually," Olopade added.

The NSC DG further praised the organizers for positioning Nigeria on the global sporting map and expressed optimism that the marathon would soon achieve platinum status, upgrading from its current Gold Label classification.

"Our country has the potential to host more international sporting events like this. At the Sports Commission, we are committed to driving infrastructural development through the Renewed Hope Initiatives for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE) campaign," he concluded.

In the elite race, Kenya’s Edwin Kibet secured victory in the men’s category, completing the 42km course in 2:14:19, while Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret won the women’s race in 2:37:04.

Meanwhile, Nyango Boyi emerged as the first Nigerian man to cross the finish line, while Blessing Shambor Solomon claimed victory as the first Nigerian woman to do so.

NSC DG, Hon. Bukola Olopade hails Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

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