Organisers of Nigeria’s premier cadet athletics competition, MTN Champs, have confirmed Ibadan, Calabar, and Jos as the host cities for the fourth edition of the tournament.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during a press briefing at MTN Plaza, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Sponsored by telecom giant MTN, the MTN Champs is a national initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing young track and field athletes across schools in Nigeria.
Over the past three seasons, the competition has served as a launchpad for emerging talents, some of whom are now being groomed for international sporting stages.
Bambo Akanni, Chief Executive of Making of Champions (MoC) and convener of the MTN Champs, stated that Season 4 would be staged simultaneously in the three selected cities.
He revealed that the championship would feature a total of 92 events across four age groups: Cadet, Youth, Junior, and Senior.
“The four-day segment in Ibadan will be held at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, and the University of Ibadan Sports Complex,” Akanni said, emphasising the competition’s extensive reach and infrastructure.
Olabisi Joseph, President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation, lauded the organisers for the championship’s strong grassroots orientation.
She noted that the MTN Champs fills a critical gap in the nation’s talent identification system.
“This initiative ensures that athletes at various stages, from junior secondary school to those just out of the school system, are given the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents.
”It also allows us to track their progress over time,” Joseph said.
Highlighting the championship’s mentorship structure, Joseph revealed that outstanding athletes from previous editions are closely monitored under the federation’s guidance.
“Veteran Olympian Mary Onyali personally mentors these young athletes. MTN Champs continues to provide a platform to discover, develop, and highlight Nigeria’s future sporting stars,” she added.
Reflecting on the programme’s journey, Akanni traced its origins to the establishment of Making of Champions in 2013, with the MoC Athletics Academy launching in 2016.
He noted that the partnership with MTN, which began in 2023, has accelerated the organisation’s goal of producing athletes capable of competing on the Olympic stage.
“Over the past decade, our athletes have secured more than 100 national and international medals.
Many have earned scholarships to study and train in the United States. At present, 30 athletes train at the academy, with 20 supported by MTN and two by Beacon Power Services,” Akanni said.
He further stressed the importance of corporate involvement in national sports development.
“We identify top athletes each season to form the Most Valuable Performers team, which competes in the grand finale.
”In 2025 alone, academy athletes earned 10 international, 14 national, and 38 MTN Champs medals, highlighting the programme’s effectiveness,” he said.
The MTN Champs continues to position itself as a vital platform for unearthing Nigeria’s future sporting heroes, combining grassroots engagement, mentorship, and corporate support in a bid to strengthen the nation’s athletics ecosystem.
