A 226km triathlon and an Abuja-to-Lagos run for young minds
Lagos State is backing two endurance challenges, one against drug abuse and one for mental health, including a swim-cycle-run from Osogbo to Ikeja on 15 November.
Lagos — Two Nigerians who use endurance sport to raise awareness have won the backing of the Lagos State Government, Premium Times reports. The Lagos State Sports Commission and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development met the organisers on Tuesday.
Mind Over Miles
Dare Akinrodoye, whose advocacy grew out of his own struggles, swam the 11.8km length of the Third Mainland Bridge in 2024 to draw attention to mental health. His next challenge, on 15 November, crosses three states:
1. Swim: 3.8km at Owala Dam, Osogbo, Osun State 2. Cycle: 180km from the dam to the Sagamu Interchange, Ogun State 3. Run: 42.2km, a full marathon, to Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park in Alausa, Ikeja
That adds up to 226km in a single day.
Race Against Drug Abuse
Olufemi Osinubi, who began campaigning through running in 2024 and recently ran from Ibadan to Lagos, plans to run from Abuja to Lagos with a team of runners. He wants to take the campaign beyond Lagos with agencies including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, focusing on the dangers of drugs for young people.
The state's view
Lekan Fatodu, director-general of the Lagos State Sports Commission, said sport can tackle social problems beyond competition. Youth and Social Development Commissioner Mobolaji Ogunlende said the campaigns fit the state's work on drug abuse and mental health, and that the government wants young people who are struggling to know it is listening.
Source: Premium Times, 22 October 2026.
