Tag: MASA Isonyin Marathon

As preparations continue for the 2025 MASA Isonyin Marathon, respected Ijebu-Igbo businesswoman and  APC stalwart, Chief Mrs. Ibilola Solaja (popularly known as Madam Jumlar), has thrown her weight behind the event by sponsoring the top prize for the women’s category.

Her support marks a major boost to the highly anticipated race, scheduled for August 23 in Isonyin, Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of Ogun State. The event is steadily gaining attention as one of the region’s most transformative sports projects.

Themed ‘Running for Exposure’,  the marathon aims to uncover emerging athletic talent while promoting health, unity, and community growth. Organised by the MASA Foundation under the leadership of Dr. Muideen Adegboyega Salami (MASA), the race will host over 2,500 runners, with prizes totalling nearly ₦10 million as winners in both male and female categories will take home ₦1.5 million each.

Solaja said her sponsorship aligns with the broader vision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to elevate sports as a tool for national development.

 “As a loyal party member, I am proud to key into the renewed hope reforms being championed by President Tinubu. Sports is finally getting the attention it deserves, and I’m happy to support initiatives that directly impact youth and women,” she said.

On choosing to fund the women’s prize, she added: “I wanted to encourage more girls to see themselves as worthy of recognition. Female athletes often face greater hurdles, and this is my way of telling them: your dreams are valid.”

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Widely known as one of the nation’s leading  rice dealers, Solaja’s  commitment to the marathon reflects her broader passion for youth empowerment and community development.

 “Sport helps young people stay focused, build discipline, and believe in themselves. We must continue to use it as a positive force,” she said even as she urged others to support the initiative.

With the APC administration prioritising sports in its reform agenda—evident in the revival of the National Sports Commission and the appointment of Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade as Chairman and Director General respectively—events like the Isonyin Marathon are joining a growing wave of impactful sporting programmes across Nigeria.

Ogun State, in particular, has become a hub of national and international sporting activities, and the Isonyin Marathon is proudly contributing to this momentum.

Dr. Salami praised Chief Solaja’s gesture as both strategic and inspiring.

“She’s not just sponsoring a prize—she’s investing in dreams. Her support sends a strong message to every young girl that she belongs in this space,” he said.

He noted that the marathon’s mission goes beyond competition: “We are building a culture of community pride and excellence. It’s about inclusion, visibility, and creating opportunities.”

Now in its second edition, the Isonyin Marathon is emerging as a premier event on Nigeria’s athletic calendar, welcoming elite runners, first-timers, and fitness enthusiasts in a celebration of sport and community.

Registration is ongoing at www.masaisonyinmarathon.com and at centres in Isonyin, Abeokuta, Sagamu, and Ijebu Ode.

Registration  has begun  in full swing for the 2025 MASA Isonyin Marathon (MIM), with top-tier Nigerian athletes signing up  ahead of  the most exciting  new  road race  in the country.

As interest builds, organisers have also launched a sponsorship campaign, inviting brands and organisations to support and add vibrancy to the event scheduled for August 23, 2025.

The half marathon, themed  ‘Running for Exposure’,  is drawing national attention with its whopping ₦1.5 million prize for winners in both the male and female categories.

The runner-up will earn ₦1 million, while third-place finishers will take home ₦750,000 — placing the event among the most generously rewarded half marathons in Nigeria.

According to the organisers, registration is ongoing  via:www.masaisonyinmarathon.com; and at physical outlets in Isonyin, Abeokuta, Sagamu and Ijebu Ode. Over 2,500 participants are expected to compete.

 “This is a huge opportunity — not just for the prize, but for the visibility,” said Bala Musa, a national -level runner from Plateau State. “It’s a platform that serious athletes will not want to miss.”

The MIM is an initiative of the MASA Foundation, led by Dr. Muideen Adegboyega Salami (MASA),with a vision to promote youth empowerment, community development, and healthy living.

The route has been officially certified by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

As preparations progress, the organising committee has extended an open invitation to corporate sponsors, institutions, and private sector players to partner with the event.

Speaking on behalf of MASA Foundation, organisers of the MASA Isonyin Marathon, Yeye Adesola Salami, Project Director, emphasised that sponsorship is not just about funding but about adding colour, energy, and value to the experience.

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 “We’re giving brands the opportunity to deepen their market and connect with thousands of engaged people in a celebratory setting,” she said. “Several sponsorship talks are already in motion, but we welcome more partners who share our vision.”

The race has received strong support from the sons and daughters of Isonyin and its well-wishers. Notable endorsements include Prof. Biodun Odusote of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos — a proud son of Isonyin — as well as a growing number of celebrities.

Among them is popular Yoruba actress and comedian Kudirat Abeniade, widely known as Mama No Network, who has publicly declared her excitement and backing for the event.

Also lending her support is Princess Dupe Adetuwo, a veteran actress and the Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Arts and Culture, who has joined other cultural icons in amplifying the event’s message and reach.

With a growing reputation, robust prize money, and a strong cultural heartbeat, the 21 KM MASA Isonyin Marathon is poised to become a flagship sporting event in Nigeria’s athletic calendar.