Tour D'Afrique: Nigeria strong showing boosts global cycling profile - Femi Thomas
Nigeria’s participation in the seventh edition of the Tour D’Afrique has been hailed as another major step forward for the country's cycling development, with Cycling Federation of Nigeria board member, Femi Thomas, describing the expedition as a successful outing that will further elevate Nigeria’s profile on the global cycling stage.
Team Nigeria returned home after completing the cross-border cycling expedition, receiving a warm welcome at the ECOWAS Headquarters in Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
Held from June 12 to June 19, the 2026 Tour D’Afrique was themed "Riding Against Climate Change: A 1,110km Journey with Zero CO₂ Emissions." The Nigerian contingent featured 50 cyclists drawn from clubs and states across the country.
The event, which was flagged off in celebration of World Bicycle Day, also commemorated Nigeria’s Democracy Day, ECOWAS' 51st anniversary and promoted the One Africa agenda, while showcasing cycling as a sustainable and environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
Reflecting on the journey, Thomas said every edition presents a unique experience, adding that this year's ride offered valuable lessons, particularly for first-time participants.
"The seventh edition is another experience—you can never have enough. Every edition comes with different challenges and different memories. It was a privilege to embark on this journey once again alongside an amazing group of people," Thomas said.
"We had participants from different states, clubs and professional teams. For many of them, it was their first experience on a tour of this magnitude. They embraced the challenge, understood what it takes and successfully completed the journey."
Thomas also noted that the initiative goes beyond sport, saying it aligns with three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting its impact on environmental sustainability, healthy living and regional cooperation.
Nigeria’s participation in the tour was coordinated by FT Cycle Care in partnership with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria and the Velo NG Community.
With another successful ECOWAS tour completed, stakeholders believe Nigeria has further strengthened its reputation as a leading advocate for climate action, regional integration and sustainable mobility through cycling.
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