Top stars to meet at national tennis open in Lagos

Top stars nationwide have signified their desire to be in Lagos for the 2025 Rainoil National Tennis Open, which offers a N22.8 million prize. The competition, which is slated to serve off on Monday at Ikoyi Tennis Club, Lagos, is part of the firm’s continued drive to boost Nigerian tennis in collaboration with the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF).

While unveiling the programme for the competition on Wednesday, the organisers said that the increase in prize money for the 2025 championships is to ensure that players receive greater financial support.

Group Executive Director, Rainoil Group, Mrs Godrey Ogbechie, said that for almost 20 years, the firm has remained committed to tennis development, both at club and national levels, because the group’s founder, Dr Gabriel Ogbechie, “is very passionate about the game of tennis.”
She stated that the game is another strategic route for Nigerian youths to express their talents and shine at a global stage.

Mrs Ogbechie, who noted that championships will begin on Monday February 3, and end on February 9, revealed that the winner of men’s singles will pocket N2 million, while the ladies’ singles winner will go home with N1.8 million.

The winner of the men’s doubles, she added, will smile home with N1 million, just as the sum of N800,000 has been set aside for winners of the ladies’ doubles.

She said that for the first time in Nigerian tennis history, players who exit at the qualifying stage, will receive financial compensation as the sum of N640,000 has been set aside for the purpose.

“This is to ensure that no competitor leaves empty-handed because we recognise the hard work and dedication of every participant.

“We are working towards ensuring that in the nearest future, both men and women players will get equal amount as prize money,” Mrs. Ogbechie stated yesterday.

Also speaking at the event, a Nigeria Tennis Federation official, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Koya-Adako, said the qualifying rounds for the tournament will hold at the National Stadium, Surulere, this weekend, while the tournament proper will begin on

On his part, the Chairman, Tennis Section of Ikoyi Club, Mr. Diran Famakinwa, commended Rainoil Group for their consistency in supporting tennis, just as he advised other corporate bodies to emulate the firm in promoting sports in Nigeria.