Nigerian athletes delivered stellar performances at the Abuja City International Half Marathon, held on Saturday in the nation’s capital.

The event attracted over 3,000 athletes from around the world, showcasing talent on a global stage.

Ms. Akuchukwu Aghazu, 2nd Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), praised all participants, stating, “Every athlete who showed up at the start line is a winner. Their bravery and determination are commendable.”

Aghazu singled out Adamu Shehu, who finished fourth overall and was the first Nigerian to cross the finish line with a time of 1:08:25:49.

She also lauded Nigeria’s Shambor Blessing and Akusho Lydia, who secured second and third places in the women’s category, calling it “a historic feat and a testament to AFN’s long-distance running blueprint for nurturing local talent.”

The AFN also acknowledged Nilayo Sports Management Limited and Premium Trust Bank for organizing the event, which holds a World Athletics Bronze Label, describing it as “the first sole-sponsored international road running event in West Africa.”

Aghazu emphasised the need for collaboration between public and private sectors to grow athletics in Nigeria, noting that such partnerships provide opportunities for talent discovery and development.

She equally reaffirmed AFN’s commitment to building on the marathon’s success to position Nigeria as a formidable force in international distance running.