The MTN CHAMPS Season 3 Grand Final came to an exciting close on Friday, 9 May 2025, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, capping off four days of top-tier youth athletics and record-breaking performances.
Over 2,000 young athletes drawn from 136 secondary schools and 93 junior and senior teams converged on Uyo to compete in what has become Nigeria’s largest and most prestigious grassroots athletics championship. The event featured intense contests across sprinting, middle-distance running, jumps, and other track and field events, reaffirming MTN CHAMPS as a platform for discovering and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian sports stars.
One of the standout performers of the championship was Team MVP, which asserted dominance particularly in the Cadet and Youth categories. In a remarkable display of team strength and individual excellence, MVP athletes delivered clean sweeps in several finals.
In the Cadet Girls’ 100m, Ebimoboere Christopher stormed to victory with a personal best of 12.61 seconds, leading teammates Ella Udumubrai and Jolaade Adesanya to a 1-2-3 finish. The trend continued in the Youth Girls’ 100m where Bernice Onoriode led another clean sweep for Team MVP.
Team MVP also topped several standings: they secured first place in the Cadet Boys’ (40 points), Cadet Girls’ (39 points), Youth Boys’ (58 points via MVP B), and Youth Girls’ (53 points via MVP A) categories highlighting their depth and strategic preparation across age divisions.
The event featured several breakout stars. Muhammed Jimoh proved a versatile talent, claiming gold in three Youth Boys’ events: 100m, High Jump, and Long Jump. In the Junior Women’s 400m, Miracle Sonny of Team MTN clocked a personal best of 53.81 seconds to take the top spot, while Favour Ashe successfully defended his Senior Men’s 100m title with a season-best time of 10.20 seconds.
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In the Junior Mixed category, Akwa Ibom State leveraged home advantage to finish top with 77 points, and further solidified their dominance in the Senior category with 92 points showcasing the host state’s investment in youth sports.
The MTN CHAMPS Grand Final also featured a closing ceremony graced by dignitaries including the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, senior MTN executives, coaches, scouts, and fans. Organisers praised the event for unearthing fresh talent and contributing to Nigeria’s long-term athletics development.
MTN Nigeria reiterated its commitment to supporting youth through sport, describing the initiative as part of a broader effort to build talent pipelines and enhance community engagement through meaningful investment in grassroots development.
As the 2025 edition wraps up, attention now shifts to the impact these young athletes will have on the national and international stage. Many of the finalists are expected to feature in upcoming national champs and could represent Nigeria in international youth competitions in the near future.
MTN CHAMPS continues to grow in scale and influence, positioning itself as the premier development ground for Nigerian athletics.
