Lagos is set to host the inaugural EKO 170 Cycling Challenge, a 170-kilometre mass-participation race scheduled for January 11, 2026, positioning the state as a rising hub for sports tourism, wellness and sustainable mobility.
EpeInsights reports that the event endorsed by the Lagos State Government, supports the state’s six development priorities—transportation, health and environment, education and technology, economic growth, tourism, and security. More than 1,000 cyclists, including elite professionals and amateur riders from within and outside Nigeria, are expected to participate.
The race will start and finish at Eko Atlantic City, with cyclists navigating Victoria Island, the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, and the Lekki–Epe Expressway to Epe before looping back to the finish line. The route was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation and LASTMA to minimise traffic disruptions and ensure safety for both riders and residents.
Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described the event as a milestone for Lagos’s sports tourism sector.
“The Cycling Challenge blends our coastal beauty, world-class infrastructure and vibrant culture into an event that empowers communities, promotes healthier lifestyles, and strengthens the creative economy,” she said.
Beyond the race, EKO 170 aims to leave a long-term impact by supporting small businesses, hosting youth cycling clinics, and establishing a Lagos Cycling Development Fund. Organisers have also committed to a zero-waste, carbon-neutral event through recycling measures, biodegradable materials, and a tree-planting effort targeting 2,500 new trees.
Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, added that the event underscores Lagos’s readiness to host world-class sporting experiences and reinforces its reputation as “Africa’s model megacity.”
