Home » TRAVEL EVENT NEWS » Lagos Unleashed: The Inaugural Eko Gran Fondo Cycling Challenge Set To Transform African Sports Tourism
Published on
November 16, 2025
The city of Lagos, a prominent hub of culture and commerce in West Africa, is officially set to welcome thousands of international and domestic cyclists in the forthcoming year. The unveiling of the inaugural Lagos Gran Fondo, officially branded as the EKO 170 Gran Fondo, marks a significant entry onto the global cycling calendar. This premier 170-kilometre mass participation cycling event is meticulously scheduled to take place on 11 January 2026. The staging of this monumental race is positioned as a critical sports tourism initiative, designed not only to celebrate athleticism but also to strategically showcase the expanding modern infrastructure, the captivating coastal beauty, and the inherent cultural vibrancy of the metropolis, while concurrently promoting vital values such as healthy living and sustainable mobility within the region.
Visionary Ambition and Global Participation
An impressive level of participation is being anticipated, with expectations set for more than 1,000 cyclists. This diverse cohort is expected to comprise a mix of elite professional athletes and dedicated amateur riders, with entrants being drawn from various locations across Nigeria and internationally. The sheer scale of participation underscores the foundational ambition of the event: to establish the EKO 170 Gran Fondo as a hallmark fixture in the international endurance sports circuit.
The magnitude of the launch was commented upon by Lekan Fatodu, who serves as the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission. The launch was described as a clear reflection of the state’s escalating ambition to feature prominently on the global stage. It was asserted that the EKO 170 demonstrably evidences Lagos’s deep-seated commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the pursuit of global excellence. It was further emphasised that the event unequivocally underscores the readiness of the state to successfully host experiences of world-class calibre, which are designed to inspire the adoption of healthier lifestyles among the citizenry and firmly reinforce the metropolitan area’s standing as a leading African urban centre.
A Route Mapped for Safety and Spectacular Views
The comprehensive 170-kilometre route has been meticulously designed to ensure both the physical safety of all participants and the provision of a visually spectacular journey. The course is planned to commence and conclude at the prestigious Eko Atlantic City, a major symbol of modern Lagos. From the starting point, the riders will be directed through the established financial and leisure districts of Victoria Island, subsequently traversing the architectural marvel that is the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge. The cyclists will then proceed along the expansive Lekki–Epe Expressway, heading in the direction of Epe, before a planned loop returns the mass of riders to the finish line at Eko Atlantic City.
The route’s development has been undertaken in close and constructive partnership with the Ministry of Transportation and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). Through this close collaboration, the course has been strategically planned with the primary objective of minimizing any potential traffic disruption for the general public, while simultaneously guaranteeing the maximum possible safety standards for both the participants and the residents living along the route corridor. Detailed logistical planning and comprehensive traffic control measures are currently being devised and implemented to ensure that all aspects of the race day proceed without incident, thereby upholding the reputation of Lagos as a capable host of major international events.
Driving Tourism, Economic Growth, and Community Engagement
The profound economic and social opportunity presented by the event was articulated by Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture. The EKO 170 Gran Fondo was clearly described as representing a major opportunity for significant growth within the state’s creative and tourism sectors. The Cycling Challenge was cited as a potent reminder of Lagos’s boundless potential as a pre-eminent global sports tourism destination.
It was emphatically stated that this event expertly fuses the city’s celebrated coastal beauty, its burgeoning world-class infrastructure, and its undeniable cultural energy into a single, cohesive experience. This experience is projected to successfully attract a diverse influx of visitors, empower local communities through economic activity, and inspire the continued adoption of healthier and more active lifestyles. Furthermore, it was elaborated that the EKO 170 is expected to robustly strengthen the entire tourism ecosystem of the state. This strengthening process is envisioned through the increased patronage and support extended to small businesses, the promotion of deeper local participation across various sectors, and the overall fostering of enhanced community engagement.
Commitment to Sustainability and Long-Term Legacy
A strong and commendable commitment has been made by the organizers to the principles of environmental sustainability. Concrete plans are being laid down to deliver a zero-waste, carbon-neutral event. This ambitious objective will be achieved through the rigorous implementation of best practices, including extensive recycling initiatives, the exclusive use of biodegradable materials where necessary, and the widespread utilization of reusable containers throughout the duration of the event. This significant effort is being carefully coordinated with key environmental agencies, including the Ministry of Environment, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and the Office of Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into every stage of planning and execution.
A Celebration of the Lagos Spirit
The EKO 170 Gran Fondo is being supported comprehensively by the Lagos State Government and numerous key private sector partners. It is being strategically positioned not merely as a competitive sporting challenge but as a profound celebration of the distinct spirit of Lagos: a spirit characterized by resilience, pioneering innovation, and a forward-looking collective identity.
As meticulous preparations continue to intensify in the lead-up to the event, all residents of the State, along with enthusiastic cycling devotees and prospective visitors, are being actively encouraged to participate in or attend what is being universally described by the organizing bodies as a truly historic milestone for the state of Lagos. The event promises to be a memorable occasion where the athletic pursuit of excellence is seamlessly intertwined with the celebration of urban development and sustainable practice.
