The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) successfully hosted the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon on March 1, 2025, bringing together elite athletes, dignitaries, and sports enthusiasts from across West Africa to promote regional integration, youth empowerment, and gender equality.
Held in Abuja, Nigeria, the event featured a 21-kilometer half-marathon and a 5-kilometer fun run, with a prize pool exceeding $71,000.
This marathon served as a powerful symbol of ECOWAS’s commitment to fostering unity, health, and athletic excellence in its 50th-anniversary celebrations.
The marathon attracted high-ranking officials from ECOWAS institutions, national governments, and the sporting community, reaffirming the region’s collective commitment to using sports as a tool for development and integration.
Among the distinguished attendees were Malam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission of Nigeria; Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs; Douka Sediko, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy & Digitalization; and Amb. Francis Chuks Njoaguani, Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre.
Also in attendance were Mr. Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential aspirant in Nigeria and marathon enthusiast; and Mr. Yusuf Alli, Commonwealth gold medalist, among others. Additionally, ECOWAS Commissioner in charge of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mme Messandje Touré Litsé, was represented by Dr. Tony Luka Elumelu, ECOWAS Director of Private Sector, further highlighting ECOWAS’s high-level support for the event.
The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon showcased the athletic prowess of both West and East African runners, with Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ghana securing top positions across various race categories. Nigerian athletes emerged as the dominant regional force, achieving podium positions behind Kenyan and Ethiopian runners in the men’s and women’s halfmarathon categories. They also swept two of the three the top positions in the 5-kilometer fun run for men, underscoring the country’s growing influence in long-distance racing.
The presence of Ethiopian and Kenyan athletes on the podium of the 21km race reaffirms the reputation of the East African countries for producing world-class endurance runners and further emphasized East Africa’s rich legacy in distance running.
Representing West Africa’s rising talent in distance races, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire secured strong finishes in the men’s and women’s half-marathon top ten positions, while Benin, The Gambia and Togo etched their names boldly among the top 25 spots.
Sierra Leone’s runner Joseph Kargbo Banjamin came in 36th in the men’s half-Marathon category. Ghana further recorded strong performances in the 5-kilometer men’s fun run, with a third place podium appearance behind Nigeria.
The diversity of winners highlighted the spirit of regional camaraderie and healthy competition, reinforcing the marathon’s status as a platform for uniting the ECOWAS community through sports.
Speaking on the significance of the marathon, Malam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission of Nigeria, emphasized the importance of sports as a tool for national development, unity, and talent discovery.
“This has been a brilliant experience. Seeing the enthusiasm from participants, from seasoned athletes to young aspiring runners, clearly aligns with our vision at the National Sports Commission. Sports are a unifying force, and this marathon has demonstrated how we can use athletics to promote integration across the region. It is not just about competition; it is about talent discovery, development, and creating opportunities for the future.”
He further highlighted the economic and social value of hosting such an event, noting that the marathon brings added recognition to the host city and the entire ECOWAS region.
Beyond the competition, this event brings significant value and creates opportunities for young athletes to showcase their potential. We have already identified promising talents who could be nurtured for future elite competitions. This is how we build sustainable sports
programmes—by giving young people a stage to excel and by supporting them in their growth.”
Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon aligns with the organization’s broader strategy of using sports as a mechanism for peacebuilding, economic development, and regional integration. Beyond competition, the event serves as a platform for promoting sports tourismand fostering socio-economic opportunities across West Africa.
Looking ahead, Prof. Fatou called for continued investment in initiatives that advance ECOWAS’s mission. “The success of this marathon is a clear indication that ECOWAS has the capacity to lead in fostering youthdriven initiatives that promote unity, health, and social progress. I strongly encourage the expansion of this programme, increasing engagement across all levels of society. This is not just an event; it is a movement towards a stronger, healthier, and more connected West Africa.”
As ECOWAS celebrates five decades of progress, the success of this marathon serves as a testament to the organization’s dedication to fostering unity and sustainable development through sports. The event sets a precedent for future regional sporting initiatives that will continue to inspire and connect the peoples of West Africa.