MTN Nigeria on Wednesday launched Season 4 of MTN CHAMPS in Lagos, unveiling a comprehensive three-year athlete development plan designed to prepare young Nigerian talents for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Organisers said the renewed focus on structured athlete development is aimed at addressing preparation gaps and strengthening long-term planning to ensure better international results.
10 Athletes Awarded “Golden Tickets”
A major highlight of the launch was the unveiling of 10 athletes discovered during Season 3 as recipients of “Golden Tickets” into the Making of Champions Athletics Academy (MoC).
The athletes are:
* Victory Aganya
* Emmanuel Akolo
* Michael Aniche
* Rebecca Enilolobo
* Chidimma Esomonu
* Abdulfatah Oduwole
* Nneoma Okonkwo
* Mighty Otunola
* Destiny Reuben
* Kehinde Seriki
Their induction brings the academy’s total roster to 30 athletes, its largest intake since inception, as they join 20 others recruited in previous seasons.
Speaking about his journey so far, Kehinde Seriki from Ogun State expressed gratitude for the opportunity to further develop his talent under a structured academy system.
Partnership Extended Through 2028 Olympic Cycle
MTN also announced a three-year extension of its partnership with MoC, securing Seasons 4, 5 and 6 through the 2028 Olympic cycle.
The agreement provides continuity and structured progression for athletes across cadet, youth, junior and senior categories, ensuring sustained preparation for international competitions such as the World U20 Championships and continental meets.
Season 4 Competition Schedule
Season 4 will feature three major events across Nigeria:
* MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics – Calabar (March 5–7)
* Continental Relays – Jos (March 26–28)
* Grand Finale – Ibadan (April 15–18)
MoC Chief Executive Officer, Bambo Akani, stated that the Calabar and Jos meets could play a significant role in Nigeria’s build-up to the 2026 World Relays.
According to him, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is considering the events as part of its qualification planning.
AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, also affirmed that the federation would continue to provide technical backing to support the initiative.
Growing Footprint Since 2023
Since its launch in 2023, MTN CHAMPS has recorded more than 22,000 athlete entries from over 1,300 schools across eight cities, positioning it as one of Nigeria’s largest secondary school athletics competitions.
Organisers say Season 4 signals the beginning of a more deliberate Olympic pathway — one focused on talent discovery, elite training, and long-term athlete development — as Nigeria looks to return to the Olympic podium in Los Angeles in 2028.
