Sanwo-Olu Aide Flags Off 5th Cycling Lagos As Agbo Francis Clinches Second Consecutive Title
By Rashidat Olushola Okunlade| Lagos
A Celebration of Sport, Health, and Community
The Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Grassroots Sports Development, Mr. Adebanji Adeoye Atewogboye, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, flagged off the 5th edition of Cycling Lagos at the National Stadium, Surulere, as Agbo Francis emerged champion of the prestigious race for the second consecutive year.
The 2026 edition commenced with a 3.6-kilometre kick-off ride led by Atewogboye. The fun ride started from the National Stadium, proceeded to Alaka Bridge, and returned to the National Stadium gate.
Government Commitment to Grassroots Sports
Speaking at the event, Atewogboye reaffirmed the commitment of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration to sports development, healthy living, and youth engagement across Lagos State.
He noted that the Cycling Lagos brand has evolved into a flagship initiative for promoting fitness, community bonding, and tourism, in line with the THEMES+ Agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
“Today, we are not just riding bicycles. We are riding for health, for unity, and for the future of sports in Lagos. The Sanwo-Olu Administration will continue to invest in and support initiatives that take sports to the grassroots and make Lagos the sports capital of Africa,” he stated.
He added that the Sanwo-Olu administration remains committed to creating more opportunities for Lagosians to participate in sports while positioning the state as a hub for safe, inclusive, and sustainable sporting events.
A Milestone Edition: Five Years of Cycling Lagos
Speaking earlier, President/CEO of Cycling Africa Limited and Convener of Cycling Lagos, Bamidele Adeleye, expressed his appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for creating an enabling environment for sports development in Lagos State.
He also thanked the Governor’s aide for his continued support and encouragement for the Cycling Lagos initiative over the years.
“Celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Cycling Lagos event is a great milestone, which could only have been achieved through the commitment of the government, its agencies, brand sponsors, cyclists and other stakeholders. We are very proud of how far we have come. This is just the beginning,” he said.
Adeleye congratulated all the winners and expressed appreciation to the sponsors and partners for their continued belief in and support for the Cycling Lagos project.
Agbo Francis Defends His Crown
In the male professional category, Agbo Francis of Lagos State, who placed second in 2024 and emerged champion in 2025, successfully defended his title to win gold for the second consecutive year.
Agbo and other professionals completed the approximately 80.31-kilometre race, which started at the National Stadium, Surulere, and took cyclists along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road before returning to the Stadium.
Daniel Sunday, also from Lagos State, won the silver medal, while promising young athlete Faruq Animasaun, also of Lagos State, claimed the bronze medal.
The female professional category did not hold this year due to the low number of cyclists who registered online ahead of the event.
Youth Categories: A Showcase of Emerging Talent
Young cyclists also had their moment in the spotlight, with participants competing across the Under-15 and Under-10 categories.
Under-15 Male
Position Athlete State
Gold Adesoga Temitope Oyo State
Silver Azeez Mohammed Oyo State
Bronze Popoola Emmanuel Lagos State
Under-15 Female
Position Athlete State
Gold Azeez Hazanat Oyo State
Silver Aminu Olamide Oyo State
Bronze Azeez Aminu Oyo State
Azeez Hazanat, who won gold in 2025, successfully defended her title to retain the championship, while Aminu Olamide also retained her title for the second consecutive year.
Under-10 Male
Position Athlete State
Gold Abubakar Miyeed Lagos State
Silver Amao Malik Ogun State
Bronze Adesoga Oluwatoku Oyo State
Under-10 Female
Position Athlete State
Gold Zainab Olarewaju Lagos State
Silver Adeleke Shindara Oyo State
Bronze Farida Abasi Oyo State
A Platform for Healthy Living and Sports Tourism
The event attracted professional cyclists, corporate organisations, children, cycling enthusiasts, and residents, further reinforcing Cycling Lagos as a platform for healthy living, social impact, youth engagement, and sports tourism.
Adron Homes and Properties Ltd at the 5th Cycling Lagos event held at the National Stadium in Surulere on Saturday September 12, 2026
Pre-Event Webinar: Trash to Treasure
The 2026 Cycling Lagos activities commenced with a webinar held on Thursday, September 3, 2026. The webinar, themed “Trash to Treasure: Unlocking Recycling Capacity for a Sustainable Future,” brought together industry experts and stakeholders to examine practical ways of expanding recycling capacity, strengthening the circular economy, and addressing Nigeria’s growing waste management challenges.
Sponsors and Partners
The 2026 edition was sponsored by Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and Aquafina, a brand of Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC). It was also supported by: AIICO Multishield Limited, Checkers Custard, Golden Penny Foods, Stanbic IBTC, Adron Homes, Leadway Holdings, Tolaram Wellness, Mountains Energy Solution, BrandEscort, and Among others.
What To Know About Cycling Lagos
The annual Cycling Lagos is organised by Cycling Africa Limited in collaboration with the Lagos State Cycling Association.
The event brings together cycling enthusiasts from different parts of the country and is designed to promote healthy living, cycling culture, environmental sustainability, and youth engagement through cycling.
Strategic Implications: Sports as a Tool for Development
Analysts say the Cycling Lagos initiative reflects a broader trend in Nigerian sports governance, the use of mass-participation events to drive public health outcomes, foster community cohesion, and stimulate sports tourism.
By integrating youth categories, environmental themes, and professional competition, Cycling Lagos has positioned itself as more than a race, it is a multi-dimensional platform for social impact.
The Sanwo-Olu administration’s continued support for the initiative underscores its recognition of sports as a vehicle for grassroots development and a catalyst for Lagos State’s ambition to become Africa’s sports capital.
The Road Ahead
As Cycling Lagos enters its sixth year, stakeholders will be watching to see whether the event can expand its reach, attract more female professional cyclists, and deepen its environmental and youth engagement components.
For Agbo Francis, the challenge will be to make it three consecutive titles. For the young athletes who graced the podium, the journey has only just begun.
This special report is part of ROTAMediaNews’ ongoing coverage of sports development, youth engagement, and grassroots initiatives in Lagos State. Follow us for exclusive insights and in-depth analysis.
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