Enugu hands City Marathon, NSF hosting bid consultancy to Nilayo Sports

The Enugu State Government, under the leadership of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has entrusted the management of two significant upcoming sports events to Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), Nigeria’s leading sports management company.

Governor Mbah recently handed over the consultancy for the 2025 Enugu City International Marathon and the 2026 National Sports Festival hosting bid to Nilayo Sports, demonstrating the state’s commitment to elevating its sports profile on a national and international level.

Speaking at the handover, the Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Ikechukwu Ekweremadu, expressed confidence in Nilayo Sports’ ability to deliver a marathon that meets World Athletics accreditation standards, setting Enugu on the global stage for elite sports events.

Receiving the official letter of authorization, Chief Bukola Olopade, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, assured the state of his company’s dedication to organizing a world-class Enugu City International Marathon scheduled for May 2025. He emphasized the team’s readiness to meet the expectations of delivering an event comparable to renowned global marathons.

Governor Mbah, in his remarks, highlighted the state government’s aspiration to replicate the prestige and quality of the Boston Marathon, with international athletes and enthusiastic spectators bringing life to Enugu’s streets. He affirmed that such a high standard would mark a significant milestone for sports in the state.

Additionally, the Commissioner of Youth and Sports presented Nilayo Sports with a second letter authorizing their consultancy role for the state’s bid to host the 23rd National Sports Festival in 2026, further cementing their partnership with the state government in advancing sports development in Enugu.