Commonwealth Games champion and Nigerian 400m hurdles record holder Nathaniel Ezekiel has announced an additional ₦250,000 performance bonus for any athlete who runs below 51 seconds at the Athletic Heat 10th Anniversary Meet.

The bonus will feature at the Nathaniel Ezekiel 400m Hurdles Showdown, scheduled for November 7, 2026, at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos.

Ezekiel is also sponsoring a total prize purse of ₦500,000 for the top eight finishers in the men's 400m hurdles. The additional performance incentive will raise the total available rewards to ₦750,000 if an athlete meets the sub-51-second target.

The initiative is expected to intensify competition among Nigeria's leading hurdlers, giving athletes an additional financial motivation to improve their performances while competing for podium positions. 

Ezekiel also commended Athletic Heat for sustaining its contribution to Nigerian athletics over the past decade and encouraged athletes who are yet to register to sign up ahead of the competition.

Athletic Heat Chief Executive Officer Ese Oguma welcomed Ezekiel's support, describing the contribution as a significant boost to the organisation's efforts to create opportunities for emerging athletes. 

Oguma particularly praised the additional bonus for introducing a clear performance target that could make the race more competitive and exciting. 

He thanked the Nigerian record holder for believing in Athletic Heat's vision as the organisation prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a gathering of track and field athletes in Lagos.