Ezekiel Offers ₦750,000 Prize Incentive for 400m Hurdles at Athletic Heat Meet
Oru Leonard
Commonwealth Games champion Nathaniel Ezekiel has announced a ₦250,000 bonus for any athlete who runs the men’s 400m hurdles in under 51 seconds at the Athletic Heat 10th Anniversary Meet scheduled for November 7, 2026, in Lagos.
The incentive brings the total potential prize money for the race to ₦750,000, comprising ₦500,000 earmarked for the top eight finishers and an additional ₦250,000 performance bonus for any athlete who achieves the sub-51-second target.
The competition, tagged the Nathaniel Ezekiel 400m Hurdles Showdown, will take place at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos as part of activities marking a decade of Athletic Heat’s contribution to athletics development.
Ezekiel, Nigeria’s national record holder in the event, said the additional incentive would provide athletes with another motivation to push their limits and deliver outstanding performances.
The bonus means competitors will have two objectives: finish among the top eight to secure a share of the ₦500,000 prize pool and achieve a time below 51 seconds to qualify for the additional ₦250,000 reward.
By supporting the competition, Ezekiel is contributing to efforts to encourage greater competitiveness among Nigerian athletes while creating opportunities for them to earn financial rewards through their performances.
The Commonwealth Games champion also commended Athletic Heat for sustaining its commitment to athletics development over the past 10 years.
He urged athletes who are yet to register for the anniversary meet to complete their registration ahead of the event, while wishing all participants success in their preparations.
Speaking on the initiative, Athletic Heat Chief Executive Officer, Ese Oguma, welcomed Ezekiel’s support, describing the contribution as significant for an event designed to inspire the next generation of athletes.
Oguma particularly welcomed the additional performance bonus, noting that the sub-51-second target would give competitors a specific milestone to pursue while adding excitement to the anniversary programme.
He thanked Ezekiel for supporting Athletic Heat’s vision and helping to create more opportunities for Nigerian athletes to demonstrate their abilities.
The November 7 competition will bring together athletes in Lagos to celebrate track and field talent and mark the 10th anniversary of Athletic Heat’s activities.
With Ezekiel’s backing, the men’s 400m hurdles is expected to attract particular attention, as athletes compete for a share of the ₦500,000 prize pool and the opportunity to earn the additional ₦250,000 bonus by finishing the race in under 51 seconds.
Signed:
Maxwell Kumoye
Chairman, Media Committee
Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN)
October 23, 2026
