2025 MTN CHAMPS Lagos ends, Caleb, Onoriode, Abdulsalam claim 100m/200m wins

Posted : 14 April 2025

The curtain fell on the Lagos edition of the 2025 MTN CHAMPS, held at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Saturday.

The colorful closing ceremony of MTN CHAMPS Season 3 took place at the YABATECH Sports Centre in Yaba.

The closing ceremony of the 2025 MTN CHAMPS Continental Relays in Lagos wrapped up in thrilling fashion after four action-packed days of competition held at the YABATECH and UNILAG Sports Complexes.

Leading the winners was John Caleb, who, fresh off his 100m victory, secured another title in the Junior Men’s 200m with a time of 21.45s.

Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo, the 400m champion, placed second in the Junior Men’s 200m with a time of 21.62s, and Eniola Shiro came in third with a time of 21.64s.

In the women’s category, Bernice Onoriode completed her sprint double by winning the Youth Girls’ 200m, adding to her earlier 100m triumph.

Rebecca Enilolobo took second place, with Goodnews Saturday finishing third.

In the Cadet Boys’ 200m, Abdulaleem Abdusalam completed a dominant double, winning in 24.73s (a Personal Best), after also claiming the 100m title in another PB of 12.19s.

Samuel Adegbuyi and Selim Bilaminu rounded out the podium in the 200m.

The grand finale featured the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays, capping off an electrifying event.

In the men’s 4x100m relay, Team Continental’s quartet of Thankgod Igube, Emmanuel Ojeli, Chidera Ezeakor, and Favour Ashe sprinted to victory with a time of 40.81s, beating Lagos (41.13s) and Benin Republic (41.96s).

The women’s 4x100m relay was dominated by Team Continental’s Iyanu Bada, Janet Adesiyan, Temitope Olusesan, and Lucy Nwankwo, who clocked 46.49s. Team TASUED and OAU Spartans followed in second and third place, respectively.

Emmanuel Ojeli shone in the senior men’s 200m, claiming the title in 21.14s, ahead of Oriyomi Akala (21.80s) and Gafar Audu (21.81s).

In the women’s race, Patience Okon-George stormed to her second gold, winning in 24.11s, after her earlier victory in the 400m.

Team MTN’s Miracle Uwem Donald took her second silver (24.63s), with Mary Adediran finishing third (24.65s).

In the Junior Women’s 200m, Hafsoh Bisola set a new Personal Best (PB) of 24.61s to win, just edging out Team MTN’s Lucy Nwankwo, who also posted a PB of 24.64s. Mariam Jegede of OAU Spartans took third place in 25.26s.

Mighty Otunla upgraded from his 100m bronze to strike gold in the Youth Boys’ 200m, followed by Muhammad Jimoh (silver) and Emmanuel Akolo (bronze).

Abigael Ogunbowale emerged victorious in the Cadet Girls’ 200m, posting 27.32s ahead of Stephanie Obiekwe (28.16s) and Tomilola Ogbamola (28.19s).

In the men’s 800m, Hamid Sambo held off a strong challenge from Olaitan Ayomide to win in 1:51.70, with Adedokun Ayobami finishing third (1:54.51).

Adeyinka Bamtefa-Mulero, returning from a break, clocked a season’s best (SB) of 2:08.90 to win the senior women’s 800m, with Fatimah Adebayo (2:11.27) and Temitope Olusesan (2:18.24) placing second and third.

Ibrahim Ahmed dominated the Youth Boys’ 400m, winning comfortably ahead of Hassan Olawepo and Ajayi Olubusuyi.

In the Youth Girls’ 400m, Team MTN’s Chizoba Onyemauwa ran a PB of 58.40s for the win, followed by Victory Aganya (58.80s PB) and Mfon Udoh.

In the men’s 400m hurdles, Olorunwa Olowu surged late to edge past early leader Sodiq Adebisi, with Gbenga Bakre finishing third.

In the women’s race, Daisy Akpofa, Sarah Kadiri, and Oluwadamilola Esther Alli claimed the top three spots.

Bamigbola Akanni, Founder and CEO of Making of Champions (MoC), the organizers of MTN CHAMPS, in an interview on the sidelines of the final, said that the competition could only improve as the years go by.

“For us at Making of Champions, it’s about revitalizing athletics in Nigeria,” he said.

“It is a 12-year journey and still counting. MTN joined the fray two years ago, and we are super-charged.

“Everything going smoothly here is centered around discovering new talents and developing them for Nigeria.

“For about three years now, with 10 competitions involving over 20,000 athletes from secondary schools, it has been an exciting time for everyone at every level in Nigeria. We are thankful to all our partners—MTN, AFN, LSAA, LSSC, Lagos State Government. We appreciate everyone’s support,” he added.

Akanni further noted, “We can only go higher in our aspirations.

“We are excited about our academy for producing top stars, and they have won the Junior title and many medals in the Junior categories, including the 400m. These are the future of athletics in Nigeria.

“We’ve also had personalities like Favour Ashe in this tournament,” he concluded.

The grand finale of the 2025 MTN CHAMPS will be held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

2025 MTN CHAMPS Lagos ends, Caleb, Onoriode, Abdulsalam claim 100m/200m wins

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