Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has thrown his weight behind the 2026 Abeokuta 10KM Race, promising to attend the event scheduled for October 3 in Ogun State.

Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, gave the assurance when the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mrs Yetunde Olopade, paid him a courtesy visit to formally invite him to the race.

The senator is being honoured through this year’s edition of the road race in recognition of his contributions to youth and sports development in Ogun State. 

Adeola expressed appreciation to Nilayo Sports Management for the gesture and commended Olopade for her leadership of the sports management company.

He said the honour was particularly significant to him because of the role sports continues to play in youth development, adding that he would make every effort to attend the event despite his busy schedule.

“I will do everything humanly possible to be part of it, especially because it is a race held in my honour,” Adeola said. 

Olopade, who presented the senator with a running kit during the visit, said the race was also an opportunity to celebrate individuals who have contributed to the development of young people and sports in Ogun State.

“For everything you have done for youth and sports development, we have come to invite you to support the race,” Olopade said. 

The 2026 edition has been designed as a domestic competition for Nigerian athletes, with organisers seeking to provide a platform for homegrown runners while maintaining the race’s established prize structure. 

Nilayo Sports Management has positioned the Abeokuta 10KM Race as one of its major road-running properties, with the event attracting athletes and fitness enthusiasts while promoting grassroots athletics and healthy living.

The company’s official platform says the Abeokuta race has recorded more than 120,000 cumulative participants since its inception in 2019. 

Registration for the 2026 edition is ongoing at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta, while registered participants are expected to collect their race kits between September 30 and October 2.

The October 3 race is expected to bring together Nigerian athletes, sports enthusiasts, officials and other stakeholders for another edition of the Abeokuta road-running event.

Adeola’s commitment to attend is expected to add further visibility to an event organisers say is aimed at strengthening domestic athletics and creating a lasting platform for Nigerian distance runners.