Nigeria is set to host and dominate the stage as the countdown begins for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships, scheduled to hold from July 16 to 20, 2025, at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
With 43 countries officially confirming participation, organisers have announced that a total of 937 athletes and officials will converge on the city for the five-day competition. This marks one of the largest continental gatherings of junior and youth athletes in recent years.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) will lead the charge with the largest contingent—110 athletes, comprising 60 male and 50 female competitors, alongside 22 officials. South Africa follows with a 100-member delegation, while other athletics powerhouses like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Algeria are sending strong squads to the championship.
According to the National Sports Commission (NSC), final preparations are in full swing across Abeokuta, with focus on logistics, athlete accommodation, transportation, and stadium readiness.
The newly renovated MKO Abiola Stadium is expected to provide world-class facilities for both track and field events.
The championship, sanctioned by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), will feature participation from top athletics nations across the continent including Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Cameroon, and Uganda.
This event comes just two months after Abeokuta successfully hosted the 2024 National Sports Festival, a testament to the capacity of the State to host a major event.
The AFN is optimistic that the home advantage will boost Team Nigeria’s performance and help develop future stars for international competitions, including the World U20 Championships and the Olympics.
In addition to the athletics action, Abeokuta will also host the CAA Congress, making the week a significant one for the future of African athletics.
Scouts, coaches, and athletics federations are expected to closely monitor the event as Africa’s next generation of sprinters, throwers, and jumpers take centre stage on home soil.
