Nigeria Secures 2027 Africa Running Conference Hosting Rights

Nigeria has successfully retained the hosting rights for the 2027 Africa Running Conference, following a commendable inaugural event held in Lagos earlier this week. This decision, announced in Abuja, reflects growing confidence in Nigeria's capability to host significant continental sports gatherings.

Dikko emphasized the importance of this event in recalibrating and strengthening Nigeria's sports sector, aligning with the Central Commission's long-term strategy to reposition Nigerian sports on the global stage. The conference, scheduled for February 12-13, will coincide with the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and will gather global athletes, race organizers, and policymakers for two days of workshops and strategic sessions.

High-profile speakers include former marathon world record holder Paul Tergat and World Athletics officials Alessio Punzi and Fatma Abdal Amal. Dikko linked the conference to broader economic benefits, arguing that hosting global events can stimulate infrastructure development and create jobs, with projections indicating that the 2025 sports initiative alone could generate 140,000 jobs.