President Bola Tinubu has emphasized Nigeria’s aspiration to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games as a vital goal that must be achieved, calling on the international sporting community to grant Africa its inaugural opportunity to organize this prestigious event.
In a statement shared on his official X platform on Wednesday, September 24, Tinubu highlighted that no African country has yet had the honor of hosting the Games. He described Nigeria’s bid as more than a matter of national pride, asserting, “The time has come for Africa.” He further noted that staging the Games in Abuja in 2030 would send a strong message affirming the continent’s integral role in shaping the Commonwealth’s future.
Nigeria is scheduled to submit its definitive proposal to the evaluation panel on Wednesday, September 24. Leading the delegation is Shehu Dikko, President of the Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC), accompanied by the Commission’s Director-General, Bukola Olopade. According to Tinubu, this initiative represents a call for the Commonwealth to “fulfill the promise of unity.”
The Commonwealth Games, held every four years, is a significant international multi-sport competition that unites athletes primarily from countries with historical connections to the United Kingdom.
Nigeria has previously sought to host the Games, narrowly missing out in 2014 when Glasgow, Scotland was selected. This time, the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) confirmed that the nation met the March 28, 2025 deadline to officially express interest in hosting the 2030 event, with Abuja proposed as the games-baton-arrives-abuja-today/” title=”Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth …’ baton arrives … today”>host city.
The NOC emphasized that hosting the Commonwealth Games would offer Nigeria a distinctive platform to highlight its progress, elevate its global standing, and enrich its sporting heritage. It would also mark a significant return to the international sporting arena, two decades after Abuja hosted the 2003 African Games.
The upcoming Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from March 17 to 29, 2026. Originally, the Australian state of Victoria was slated to host but withdrew in 2023 due to escalating expenses, prompting the Commonwealth Games Federation to seek alternative hosts.
Nigeria’s 2030 bid arrives at a critical juncture for the Commonwealth Games, which are confronting increasing concerns about their sustainability. President Tinubu and his team argue that Africa deserves its moment, presenting Abuja’s candidacy as a chance to rejuvenate the Commonwealth’s ethos and secure the event’s future vitality.
0 Comments