By Modupe Gbadeyanka

This year’s Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will take place on Saturday, February 14, 2026, and a statement from the organisers disclosed that all is set for the prestigious event.

For athletes, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon serves as a gateway to global opportunity. Nigerian runners gain increased visibility and competitive credibility, while the presence of elite international athletes raises performance standards and enhances professional recognition.

With proper race certification and organisation, athletes’ achievements carry global relevance. Access Bank’s international presence further supports cross-border participation, creating a two-way exchange where local talent gains exposure and international runners experience Nigerian culture firsthand.

Since its inception, the marathon has evolved from a bold vision into a globally recognised annual sporting event. Over the years, the participation level has grown significantly, organisational standards have strengthened, and the race has earned increasing international credibility.

Central to this progress has been Access Bank’s consistent, long-term sponsorship, focused not on short-term promotion, but on building a professional, safe, and world-class sporting platform.

The event maintains its status as one of Africa’s leading road races and exemplifies the impact of sustained collaboration, unified objectives, and civic engagement in advancing the interests of the city and its residents.

By consistently investing in logistics, safety, and effective operations, this partnership has elevated the marathon from simply a sports event to a cultural and civic milestone for Lagos. The expansion of the marathon demonstrates how ongoing dedication and teamwork can make a significant difference.

Beyond competition, the marathon has played a notable role in shaping Lagos’ culture and global perception. It has encouraged a stronger fitness and wellness culture among residents, normalising jogging, walking, and group training as everyday lifestyle habits. The race day also fosters community spirit, with thousands of volunteers, spectators, and residents coming together to support participants.

Internationally, the event has positioned Lagos as a city capable of hosting large-scale, world-class events, helping to shift perceptions towards vibrancy, organisation, and cultural energy. In doing so, the marathon has helped Lagos see itself, and be seen, as a city of movement, resilience, and possibility.

Volunteerism and civic participation remain integral, strengthening social cohesion and community pride. Ultimately, its success is measured not just in kilometres run, but in communities strengthened and lives positively influenced.

Environmental responsibility has also become an important focus of the event. Structured waste management and post-race clean-up initiatives are implemented along race routes, with increasing emphasis on responsible disposal and recycling awareness. Through collaboration with volunteers and local groups, the marathon demonstrates that large-scale events can balance excitement with environmental care, proving that celebration and responsibility can co-exist when sustainability is treated as a shared duty.

As Lagos looks forward to the race day on February 14, it is worth recognising Access Bank’s pivotal role in powering the Lagos City Marathon year after year. Through its sustained sponsorship, Access Bank has demonstrated outstanding commitment not only to the sporting event but also to the city's growth and global connections.

By Adedapo Adesanya

English football club, Nottingham Forest, have sacked manager, Sean Dyche, making him the third managerial exit at the club this season.

Mr Dyche was sacked after a goalless draw against bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night in the Premier League.

It is the third time Nottingham Forest have dismissed a coach this season after the sackings of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.

His exit comes as the club has won three of their last 13 games in all competitions and is placed 17th in the league, just three points above the relegation zone.

Nottingham Forest confirmed Mr Dyche’s departure on Thursday morning.

“We would like to thank Sean and his staff for their efforts during their time at the club, and we wish them the best of luck for the future,” the club said in a brief statement.

After the Wolves game, Mr Dyche said that it was up to the owner, Mr Evangelos Marinakis, to make a managerial change.

The 54-year-old was appointed by Forest last October to replace Mr Postecoglou, who was in charge of eight games and failed to win any of them. Mr Postecoglou had been appointed after the sacking of Mr Espirito Santo on September 8, less than a month into the season. The latter had led Nottingham Forest to a seventh-place finish in the 2024-25 campaign and qualified for European football.

Mr Dyche oversaw a 12th-place finish in the league phase of the Europa League competition, but like Thomas Frank, who was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, Mr Dyche’s domestic run was poor as he won only six of his 18 Premier League games in charge and his side were eliminated in the FA Cup third round by Championship club Wrexham on penalties.

As per reports, former Wolves coach Vitor Pereira is the frontrunner to replace Mr Dyche and become Nottingham Forest’s fourth manager of the season.

Mr Pereira has not coached professional football since he was sacked by Wolves in November 2025 after failing to win any of their first 10 Premier League games of the season.

However, the Portuguese was widely credited with saving Wolves from relegation after his appointment in December 2024 sparked a significant improvement in results. He also has a past relationship with Mr Marinakis, having coached Olympiacos (also owned by the Greek billionaire businessman) in the 2014-15 season, culminating in them winning the Greek league and a domestic cup double.

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