Nigeria’s Cycling Federation board member Femi Thomas has called the country’s performance at the seventh Tour D’Afrique a success. He believes this outing will boost Nigeria’s reputation in global cycling.
Thomas made these comments as Team Nigeria returned home after finishing the cross-border event at the ECOWAS Headquarters in Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
The 2026 edition, with the theme ‘Riding Against Climate Change: A 1,110km Journey with Zero CO₂ Emissions’, took place from June 12 to June 19. The team had 50 cyclists from different states and clubs across Nigeria.
The tour started on World Bicycle Day. It also celebrated Nigeria’s Democracy Day, the 51st anniversary of ECOWAS, and the One Africa agenda. It highlighted the importance of sustainable transport.
Thomas, who is a former athlete, said the experience was invaluable for everyone involved, especially for first-time participants.
“This seventh edition is another experience. You can never have enough. Every edition is different. It has been a great chance to make this journey again this year with wonderful people,” he said.
“Many cyclists came from different states, clubs, and professional backgrounds. For those who took part for the first time, it was a new experience. They faced the challenge, learned how it feels, and managed to get through it,” he added.
Thomas pointed out that the tour supports three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This shows its importance beyond just sports.
Team Nigeria’s participation was organized by FT Cycle Care, the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, and the Velo NG Community.
With the ECOWAS leg now complete, stakeholders believe the tour has helped position Nigeria as a strong voice for climate action and regional integration through sports.
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