₦10m Prize Boost as Ondo Auto Rally Targets Tourism Boom

The Ondo State Government has announced a ₦10 million cash prize for winners of the 2026 Ondo Auto Rally, underlining its growing commitment to sports tourism and automotive innovation.

The ninth edition of the rally, billed for 4 April across Akure and Ilara-Mokin, is themed “Greatest Show on Wheels” and promises a vibrant mix of motorsport, culture and technology.According to Femi Akarakiri of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency, the state’s backing reflects the rally’s evolution into one of Ondo’s biggest tourist attractions.

Organisers, led by Work & Play president Adeoye Ojuoko, confirmed that parts of Akure will be designated for drag racing, with a strong emphasis on showcasing locally designed and built performance vehicles.

Beyond motorsport thrills, the rally will feature a Mountain Bike XCE competition, an air show spotlighting locally engineered drones, and a tree-planting initiative to promote environmental sustainability.

Ojuoko stressed that this year’s edition will prioritise local content, positioning the rally as a platform to promote Nigeria’s growing automotive engineering capacity while boosting tourism and infrastructure development.

Now regarded as one of Nigeria’s premier motorsport events, the Ondo Auto Rally continues to draw large crowds and reinforce its status as a key contributor to the state’s tourism economy.