Nigeria Reaffirms Readiness To Host Commonwealth Games 

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

Nigeria’s ambition to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games took a significant step forward on Thursday as the National Sports Commission (NSC) received members of the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee in Abuja.

The visit marks a crucial phase in the evaluation process as the West African nation pushes to become the first African country to host the prestigious Games.

Welcoming the delegation, NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to the bid. He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu is determined to bring the Games to Africa, describing the effort as “a major step toward inclusivity in the Commonwealth sporting community.”

Dikko assured that Nigeria’s preparations are anchored on showcasing Abuja’s world-class facilities and the country’s capacity to stage an event of global magnitude.

NSC Director General, Bukola Olopade, reinforced this assurance, noting that the bid rests on four key pillars: facilities, political will, private sector involvement, and public passion for sports.

 

He revealed that the bid committee, led by veteran broadcaster, Mainasara Illo, has developed a robust bid document designed to meet international standards. “We are optimistic that our engagements with the Evaluation Committee, led by Darren Hall, will further demonstrate Nigeria’s capability to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games,” Olopade said.

 

The high-level engagement extended to the Presidential Villa, where the Commonwealth delegation was received by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on behalf of President Tinubu.

The meeting was attended by nine members of the Federal Executive Council, including Minister of Youth Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal, among others.

Their presence underscored the political backing Nigeria’s bid enjoys at the highest level.

The visiting Commonwealth Sport officials included Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance and member of the 2030 Evaluation Commission; Ann-Louise Morgan, Director of Sport; and Ezera Tshabangu, Regional Development Manager for Africa and Europe.

Their visit is expected to involve facility inspections, technical assessments, and consultations with stakeholders as Nigeria continues to make its case for hosting rights.