MTN Rewards CHAMPS Athletes with ₦1m Each for International Athletics Feats

MTN Nigeria has honoured three outstanding athletes from its CHAMPS athletics programme—Ezekiel Asuquo, Lucy Nwankwo and Toheebat Jimoh—with ₦1 million each following their impressive performances at national, continental and international competitions.

The athletes were received by MTN Nigeria’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna Emeka, at the company’s headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos, on August 19, 2026, as part of the telecoms giant’s continued commitment to identifying, nurturing and rewarding emerging athletics talent.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the athletes to reflect on their remarkable progress since the conclusion of Season 4 of MTN CHAMPS and their transition from grassroots competition to representing Nigeria on major international stages.

Asuquo and Jimoh represented Nigeria at the World Athletics Championships in Gaborone, Botswana, before playing key roles in the country’s gold-medal success at the African Senior Championships in Accra, Ghana.

Nwankwo, meanwhile, distinguished herself at the CAA U18/U20 Region II Championships in Dakar, where she won two individual gold medals, before proceeding to compete at the World U20 Championships.

Speaking during the reception, Emeka encouraged the athletes to recognise their achievements and appreciate the journey that has brought them to the international stage.

“Sometimes, in the pursuit of excellence, we get so focused on the next goal that we forget to acknowledge how far we have come. It is important to pause, reflect on our achievements and appreciate the opportunities that have shaped our journey,” she said.

The athletes also recounted their experiences and the challenges involved in progressing from school-level athletics to competing for Nigeria internationally.

Asuquo expressed appreciation to MTN CHAMPS and MoC Academy for providing him with the platform and support required to develop his talent.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity MTN CHAMPS and MoC Academy have given me to develop my talent and compete at the international level. From the beginning, my coaches recognised my potential and encouraged me to remain disciplined and committed. That support helped me grow as an athlete and gave me the confidence to represent Nigeria on the global stage, which was a defining moment for me,” he said.

As part of the recognition, MTN Nigeria presented each of the three athletes with a cash reward of ₦1 million in appreciation of their achievements and dedication to athletics.

Since its launch, MTN CHAMPS has attracted more than 22,000 young athletes from over 1,500 schools across Nigeria, creating opportunities for talent discovery, training and development.

The initiative has produced athletes who have gone on to compete at major national and international events, including the World Athletics Relays, African Senior Championships, Nigerian Championships, Commonwealth Games Trials, Dakar regional championships and the World U20 Championships.

For Asuquo, Nwankwo and Jimoh, their rise from the MTN CHAMPS platform to the global athletics stage represents the core objective of the programme: creating pathways for young Nigerian athletes to discover their potential, develop their abilities and compete at the highest levels.

As they set their sights on bigger achievements, MTN Nigeria’s recognition underscores the importance of sustained investment in grassroots sports and the development of the next generation of Nigerian sporting stars.