It’s N1m Each As MTN Celebrates CHAMPS Athletes After International Success

MTN Nigeria has recognised the achievements of CHAMPS athletes Ezekiel Asuquo, Lucy Nwankwo and Toheebat Jimoh following their strong performances at national, continental and international levels since the conclusion of Season 4 of the athletics competition.

The athletes were received by MTN Nigeria’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna Emeka, at the MTN Head office, Ikoyi, Lagos, on August 19, 2026. The meeting reflects MTN Nigeria’s continued support of grassroot athletics and their pursuit of excellence on the national and international stage.

The engagement gave the athletes an opportunity to reflect on their progress over the past four months. Asuquo and Jimoh represented Nigeria at the World Athletics Championships in Gaborone, Botswana and subsequently contributed to the country’s gold-medal success at the African Senior Championships in Accra, Ghana. Nwankwo recorded two individual gold medals at the CAA U18/U20 Region II Championships in Dakar before competing at the World U20 Championships.

Addressing the athletes, Onyinye Ikenna Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria urged them to pause and appreciate how far they have come, noting that their achievements were a result of both the opportunities they received and the commitment they brought to their development. “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 shared experiences of their transition from school-level competition to representing Nigeria alongside other athletes. Speaking about his journey, Ezekiel Asuquo said: “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.”

The recognition also included a financial reward, with the MTN Nigeria presenting the athletes with ₦1 million each in appreciation of their achievements and continued commitment to athletics.

Since its inception, MTN CHAMPS has attracted more than 22,000 young athletes from over 1,500 schools, providing a platform for talent identification, training and development. Since the competition began, athletes who emerged through the programme have progressed to compete at national, continental and international levels, including the World Athletics Relays, African Senior Championships, Nigerian Championships and Commonwealth Games Trials, Dakar regional championships and the World U20 Championships.

For Asuquo, Nwankwo and Jimoh, the journey from MTN CHAMPS to competing on major stages represents the kind of progression the competition was created to support, as they continue to build their careers and pursue bigger goals in athletics.