Three athletes discovered and trained by Making of Champions (MoC) have been selected to represent Nigeria at the World Athletics Relays taking place in Gaborone on May 2 – 3, 2026.
Emmanuel Ojeli, Ezekiel Asuquo, and Toheebat Jimoh are part of Nigeria’s 24-athlete contingent competing across all six relay events. The trio will make their respective debuts at the World Relays, featuring in the men’s 4x400m, women’s 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m events.
Ojeli, an MTN CHAMPS Ambassador, joined the MoC Track Club in 2018 and has since represented Nigeria at multiple major international competitions, including multiple continental competitions including two Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), the Commonwealth Games, and multiple continental competitions. He is a former Nigerian men’s 400m champion (2019) and the reigning National Sports Festival (NSF) champion in the event.
Both Asuquo and Jimoh were recruited into the MoC Athletics Academy in 2024, sponsored by MTN, after being identified at MTN CHAMPS in Uyo and Ibadan, respectively. Since then, they have rapidly risen through the ranks.
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Asuquo has already earned multiple international caps for Nigeria. He claimed Silver in the 400m at the African U-20 Championships in 2025 and went on to secure three medals at the CAA Region II Championships in Accra. He also represented Nigeria at the Islamic Solidarity Games, contributing to podium finishes in the men’s 4x100m and mixed 4x400m relays. The World Relays marks his fourth international appearance for Nigeria.
Jimoh, who transitioned from sprinting to the 400m in 2025, quickly established herself as a standout performer by winning the National U-20 title within months. She made an immediate impact on the international stage at the African U-20 Championships, securing Bronze in the 400m and GOLD in the 4x400m relay. Her selection for the World Relays marks her senior international debut.
MoC Academy Head Coach and Olympic medallist Deji Aliu is also part of Nigeria’s coaching delegation for the competition.
The inclusion of these athletes underscores the growing impact of Making of Champions in identifying and developing world-class talent, as Nigeria aims for strong performances on the global stage in Gaborone.
