Nigeria is set to host a pivotal convergence of minds as the Africa Running Conference 2026 begins this Thursday at the Eko Hotel, Lagos, an event which will bring together a diverse array of stakeholders, ranging from policy shapers and race organisers to global athletics leaders.
In a Thursday statement signed by Kola Daniel, the Special Assistant on media to the office of the Director General of the National Sports Commission, the gathering signals a defining moment for road running in Africa, with stakeholders ready to chart a bold, commercially viable and globally aligned future for the sport.
According to the statement, the event starts with a technical workshop on Day One on Thursday, February 12, followed by the main conference sessions on Friday, February 13, 2026. The event precedes the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon scheduled for February 14, 2026.
International guests and top World Athletics officials began arriving in Lagos from Tuesday and were received by the Head of the Local Organising Committee, Chief Solomon Ogba, who expressed confidence in Nigeria’s readiness to host a world-class event.
Chief Ogba said, “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 is themed: “Reshaping Running and Mass Participation in Africa: Embracing the Global Community.”
The event will bring together leading voices 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 and Olympic legend; 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 aimed at strengthening race organisation, expanding grassroots participation, and aligning African road running with global best practices.
With stakeholders from across the continent and beyond already on the ground, the conference promises to be a landmark platform for shaping the next phase of development in Africa.
