Winners have emerged at the Lagos edition of the 2025 MTN CHAMPS held at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the colourful closing ceremony of the 2025 MTN CHAMPS Season 3 was held at the YABATECH Sports Centre, Yaba.
The closing ceremony of the 2025 MTN CHAMPS Continental Relays Lagos wrapped up in thrilling fashion after four action-packed days of competition held at the Yabatech and UNILAG Sports Complexes.
Leading the winners was John Caleb, who fresh off his 100 meters win, secured another title in the Junior men’s 200 meters with a time of 21.45 seconds.
Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo, the 400 meters champion, placed second in the Junior men’s 200 meters in 21.62 seconds, and Eniola Shiro came in third (21.64 seconds).
In the female category, Bernice Onoriode completed her sprint double, winning the Youth Girls’ 200 meters to add to her earlier 100 meters triumph.
Also, Rebecca Enilolobo took second, with Goodnews Saturday in third.
In the Cadet Boys’ 200 meters, Abdulaleem Abdusalam completed a dominant double, winning in 24.73 seconds (Personal Best, PB), after also claiming the 100 meters title in another PB of 12.19 seconds.
Then, Samuel Adegbuyi and Selim Bilaminu rounded out the podium in the 200 meters.
The grand finale featured the men’s and women’s 4×100 meters relay, capping off an electrifying event.
In the men’s 4×100 meters relay, Team Continental’s quartet of Thankgod Igube, Emmanuel Ojeli, Chidera Ezeakor, and Favour Ashe sprinted to victory with a time of 40.81 seconds, beating Lagos (41.13 seconds) and Benin Republic (41.96 seconds).
The women’s 4×100 meters was dominated by Team Continental’s Iyanu Bada, Janet Adesiyan, Temitope Olusesan, and Lucy Nwankwo, clocking 46.49 seconds. Team Tasued and OAU Spartans followed in second and third, respectively.
Emmanuel Ojeli shone in the senior men’s 200 meters, claiming the title in 21.14 seconds, ahead of Oriyomi Akala (21.80 seconds) and Gafar Audu (21.81 seconds).
In the women’s race, Patience Okon-George stormed to her second gold, winning in 24.11 seconds, after her earlier victory in the 400 meters.
Team MTN’s Miracle Uwem Donald took her second silver (24.63 seconds), with Mary Adediran finishing third (24.65 seconds).
In the Junior women’s 200 meters, Hafsoh Bisola set a new Personal Best (PB) of 24.61 seconds to win, just edging out Team MTN’s Lucy Nwankwo who also posted a PB (24.64 seconds). Mariam Jegede of OAU Spartans was third in 25.26 seconds.
Mighty Otunla upgraded from his 100 meters bronze to strike gold in the Youth Boys’ 200 meters, followed by Muhammad Jimoh (silver) and Emmanuel Akolo (bronze).
Abigael Ogunbowale emerged victorious in the Cadet Girls’ 200 meters, posting 27.32 seconds ahead of Stephanie Obiekwe (28.16 seconds) and Tomilola Ogbamola (28.19 seconds).
In the men’s 800 meters, Hamid Sambo held off a strong challenge from Olaitan Ayomide to win in 1:51.70, with Adedokun Ayobami finishing third (1:54.51).
Adeyinka Bamtefa-Mulero, returning from a break, clocked a Season’s Best (SB) of 2:08.90 to win the senior women’s 800 meters, with Fatimah Adebayo (2:11.27) and Temitope Olusesan (2:18.24) placing second and third.
Ibrahim Ahmed dominated the Youth Boys’ 400 meters, winning comfortably ahead of Hassan Olawepo and Ajayi Olubusuyi.
In the Youth Girls’ 400 meters, Team MTN’s Chizoba Onyemauwa ran a PB of 58.40 seconds for the win, followed by Victory Aganya (58.80 seconds PB) and Mfon Udoh.
The men’s 400 meters hurdles saw Olorunwa Olowu surge late to edge past early leader Sodiq Adebisi, with Gbenga Bakre in third.
In the women’s race, Daisy Akpofa, Sarah Kadiri, and Oluwadamilola Esther Alli claimed the top three spots.
Bamigbola Akanni, founder and CEO of Making of Champions (MoC), organisers of the 2025 MTN CHAMPS, in an interview with NAN on the sidelines of the final said:
“For us at the Making of Champions, it’s about revitalising athletics in Nigeria.
It is a 12-year journey and still counting, MTN joined the fray two years ago and we are super-charged.
Everything going smoothly here is centred around discovering new talents and developing them for Nigeria.
For about three years now, with 10 competitions with over 20,000 athletes involving the secondary schools.
In Nigeria it has been excitement for everyone at every level. We are thankful to all our partners, MTN, AFN, LSAA, LSSC, Lagos State Government we are thankful for everybody’s support.
We can only go higher in our desires.
We are excited about our academy for producing top stars and they have won the Junior title and so many medals … These are the future of athletics in Nigeria.
We have had personalities like Favour Ashe in this tournament as well.”
NAN reports that the grand finale of the 2025 MTN CHAMPS will be held at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
