The Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), Yetunde Olopade, has declared the upcoming PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon “a landmark moment in global road racing,” as Nigeria prepares to host the world’s first marathon to earn a World Athletics Label in record time.
With just days to go before the second edition of the race takes centre stage on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Olopade says the event is redefining what visionary collaboration can achieve in African sport.
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Speaking ahead of the race, Olopade described the achievement as “a first-ever true super-partnership,” crediting PremiumTrust Bank for its bold investment and unwavering backing of what she calls “Nigeria’s most ambitious sporting project.”
According to her, the rapid ascent of the Abuja City International Half Marathon is a testament to the power of strategic planning, flawless execution, and committed private-sector leadership.
“This is not just another marathon,” she said. “This is a partnership that has rewritten global standards in record time. To earn the World Athletics Label in only our second edition is evidence that Nigeria can deliver world-class sporting experiences with excellence, professionalism, and integrity.”
Olopade noted that the race’s 2025 theme — “Steady Strides” — reflects both the evolution of the event and the unwavering dedication of everyone behind it. She added that the marathon is rapidly becoming Abuja’s biggest annual sporting export, attracting elite runners, international officials, and thousands of participants from around the world.
With registration still open and excitement building, she predicts a record-breaking turnout and a festival of endurance, unity, and national pride.
“This race is a celebration of what Nigeria is capable of,” Olopade said. “It will be bigger, better, and unforgettable.”
The countdown has begun, and all eyes are now on the capital as Abuja prepares for a world-renowned spectacle.
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