Ogun State Shines as Abeokuta Hosts 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships

By Arajelo Ayoola Olatunji

The 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place from July 16 to 20, 2025, will be hosted at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Originally slated for Oran, Algeria, the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) relocated the event to Nigeria due to logistical considerations. This biennial championship is Africa’s premier platform for showcasing young athletic talent under the age of 20, combining both U18 and U20 categories into a single, grand continental event. The Abeokuta edition is expected to be a landmark occasion, as Nigeria steps up to host a record number of athletes, officials, and journalists from across the continent.

A total of 43 African countries have confirmed participation, with 937 athletes and officials set to compete across a range of track and field events. Leading athletics powerhouses such as Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Egypt will be in attendance, alongside newcomers and emerging nations looking to make their mark. The Nigerian team will be the largest delegation, featuring 110 athletes (60 male, 50 female) and 22 officials, followed closely by South Africa with 100 delegates, and Ethiopia and Kenya with 69 and 67 respectively. These numbers underscore the level of enthusiasm and the growing competitiveness of youth athletics in Africa.

To ensure a successful hosting, Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) constituted a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) headed by Hon. Bukola Olopade, a seasoned sports administrator. Ogun State’s Commissioner for Sports, Wasiu Isiaka, serves as the committee’s vice-chair. Since its formation, the LOC has worked rigorously to fine-tune logistics related to accommodation, feeding, transportation, competition schedules, and international coordination. The MKO Abiola Stadium, which was refurbished for the Gateway Games, is equipped with world-class facilities that meet international standards, providing an excellent stage for top-tier competition.

Media coverage for the event is expected to be significant, with over 240 sports journalists applying for accreditation. This includes 198 local reporters and 42 from international media houses. The high media interest not only reflects the significance of the event but also the expectation that future global champions may emerge from this championship. In addition to media presence, there is widespread anticipation among athletics enthusiasts and scouts, who see the tournament as a critical pipeline for talent ahead of global competitions such as the World U20 Championships and eventually the Olympics.

This championship is more than just a sports event—it is a celebration of African youth potential, unity, and excellence. As rising stars like Chioma Nwachukwu and Okon Israel lead the Nigerian charge, the championship also serves to boost the profile of Abeokuta as a sporting city. For the athletes, it is a chance to gain international exposure, set records, and inspire a new generation of competitors. For Nigeria, it’s a moment to reaffirm its leadership role in African athletics and to demonstrate its capacity to host world-class sporting events. As the continent looks to the future, the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships will surely be remembered as a defining moment in youth sports development.

In addition to the excitement surrounding the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships, special commendation must be given to His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, whose visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to sports development have made this monumental event possible. The successful relocation of the championship from Oran, Algeria to Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria is not by accident—it is a direct result of Governor Abiodun’s timely intervention and strategic investment in the renovation and upgrading of key sports facilities, especially the iconic MKO Abiola International Stadium. His administration’s foresight has transformed Ogun State into a beacon of sports excellence in Nigeria and across Africa.

Governor Abiodun’s proactive approach in revamping the state’s sporting infrastructure is nothing short of remarkable. Under his watch, not only was the MKO Abiola Stadium brought to global standards with state-of-the-art facilities, but other sporting complexes across the state have also seen unprecedented improvement. These developments have attracted national and international attention, proving that Ogun State is more than capable of hosting world-class events. It is, therefore, no surprise that the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) confidently chose Abeokuta as the new host city. This decision alone is a ringing endorsement of the governor’s outstanding efforts in positioning Ogun State as a premier destination for sports tourism and youth development.

Beyond infrastructure, Governor Abiodun has demonstrated a strong belief in the power of sports as a unifying and empowering force. His administration has consistently supported grassroots sports initiatives, encouraged youth participation in athletics, and created platforms for young talents to thrive. The hosting of the African U18/U20 Championships is a culmination of these enduring efforts. It reflects a government that does not just promise but delivers—one that understands that investment in sports is investment in youth, in health, in community pride, and in international prestige.

The governor’s role in attracting such a prestigious continental event deserves to be celebrated across Nigeria and beyond. For Ogun State to be placed firmly on the map of global athletics is a legacy achievement. It sends a powerful message that when leadership is driven by vision, integrity, and purpose, great things happen. The state is not only hosting a competition; it is making history—and Governor Dapo Abiodun stands at the center of that narrative, as a true sports-loving leader, a champion of youth empowerment, and a governor who leads by example.

As the championships draw near and the world turns its attention to Abeokuta, we salute Governor Abiodun for this defining moment in the state’s journey. His bold decisions, commitment to excellence, and enduring legacy in sports development will be remembered for generations. Indeed, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, has not just renovated a stadium—he has revived a vision, reignited dreams, and repositioned Ogun State as a global sporting powerhouse.