After weeks of uncertainty, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has officially announced that the 2025 Nigeria Championships will take place at the Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) Sports Complex in Lagos. The national trials are set to run from August 1 to 3 and will serve as the key qualifier for Nigerian athletes hoping to compete at the World Championships in Tokyo this September.
The delay in confirming a venue had raised concerns within the athletics community, especially given the importance of the event on the global calendar. Despite criticism over the AFN’s slow preparation, the buzz surrounding the championships has continued to grow. With Olympic-standard talent set to compete, the trials are shaping up to be a major highlight in Nigeria’s 2025 sports calendar.
Top-tier athletes have already begun arriving in Lagos ahead of the meet. Among those confirmed are world record holder and crowd favourite Tobi Amusan, NCAA 400m champion Samuel Ogazi, fast-rising sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi, and Canada-based speedster Usheoritse Itsekiri. Each of them will be looking to secure a spot on Team Nigeria, with several still chasing qualification standards for Tokyo.
In addition to the venue confirmation, the AFN has also released the official timetable of events. The spotlight will be on Day 2, which features the men’s and women’s 100m finals — typically the most watched and celebrated races of any track event. Fans are already looking forward to the fireworks expected in those sprints.
As anticipation builds, the trials promise to bring together Nigeria’s best athletes, both home-based and from the diaspora, for what could be an electric three-day showdown. Though logistical issues may have cast an early shadow, the athletes are ready, the stage is set, and the nation’s track and field community will be watching closely.
