Global Athletics Leaders Descend On Lagos For Africa Running Conference 2026

Lagos, Nigeria, is set to host a significant gathering of global athletics leaders, policymakers, and race organisers as the Africa Running Conference 2026 commences this Thursday at the Eko Hotel.

This pivotal event aims to define a bold, commercially viable, and globally aligned future for road running across Africa.

The conference begins with a technical workshop on Thursday, 12th February, followed by the main conference sessions on Friday, 13th February 2026. It precedes the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, scheduled for 14th February 2026.

International guests and senior World Athletics officials began arriving in Lagos on Tuesday, welcomed by Chief Solomon Ogba, Head of the Local Organising Committee. Chief Ogba expressed confidence in Nigeria’s readiness to host a world-class event.

“Nigeria is proud to welcome distinguished guests from across Africa and the global athletics community. This conference is a major step toward repositioning road running on the continent. We are grateful to the leadership of the National Sports Commission for their unwavering support and commitment to elevating Nigerian sports to global standards.”

Organised under the auspices of World Athletics in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), the conference’s theme is: “Reshaping Running and Mass Participation in Africa: Embracing the Global Community.”

The event will bring together influential figures in global and African athletics, sports governance, finance, and mass participation platforms to discuss sustainability, innovation, and the long-term growth of road running.

Confirmed speakers include Dr. Paul Tergat, former marathon world record holder; Alessio Punzi, Head of Running at World Athletics; Fatma Abdal Amale, Vice President of Kenya Athletics; and Jackson Tuwei, Vice President of World Athletics and President of Athletics Kenya.

Also scheduled to speak are Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission; Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc; Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emienim, Managing Director/CEO of Premium Trust Bank Plc; Tayo Popoola, General Coordinator of the Lagos Marathon; Nadeem Khan, President of the International Association of Ultra Runners; and Chris Robb, Founder and CEO of RunThrough and Mass Participation World.

The Africa Running Conference 2026 will feature technical workshops, high-level panel discussions, and strategic knowledge-sharing sessions focused on strengthening race organisation, expanding grassroots participation, and aligning African road running with global best practices.

With stakeholders from across the continent and beyond already present, the conference promises to be a landmark platform for shaping the next phase of running development in Africa.