By Ademuyiwa Balikis
Nigeria has taken a bold step in its quest to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, pledging to bring the event to Africa for the very first time.
During a meeting with the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, assured that the nation is prepared to meet all requirements to stage a world class Games.
President Tinubu said Nigeria’s ambition goes beyond hosting, noting that the Games would be an opportunity to celebrate unity, diversity, and youth development across the continent.
“Africa deserves its moment after nearly a century,” he declared, recalling that no African country has hosted the Games since they began in 1930.
He also highlighted recent reforms in the sports sector, including the scrapping of the Ministry of Sports and the creation of the National Sports Commission to drive strategic growth. The President promised that infrastructure, security, and hospitality facilities would be ready ahead of schedule if Nigeria secures the bid.
Gbajabiamila reinforced Tinubu’s commitment, stressing that the President had issued a Letter of Guarantee to back the bid. “What I can assure you is that we’re ready. We’re willing, we’re able, and we actually want this. It’s been almost 100 years, and the Games have not been held on any soil in Africa,” he told the visiting delegation.
Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, added that Nigeria’s size, influence, and long history in sports make it the natural choice to host the Games over India, the only other bidder. He emphasized that Africa’s 21 Commonwealth nations deserve representation and recognition at this historic milestone.
Mainasara Illo, Chairman of the Bid Committee, unveiled Nigeria’s detailed proposal, which features 15 sports, including football as a new addition to boost excitement and global engagement. Habu Gumel, President of Commonwealth Sport Nigeria, assured that the Games would be environmentally sustainable.
In response, Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at Commonwealth Sport, praised Nigeria’s passion and hospitality, saying diversity and inclusion will be central as the Games approach their centenary.
Nigeria and India remain the two official contenders for the 2030 Games, with Abuja and Ahmedabad as their proposed host cities. The Commonwealth Games General Assembly is expected to announce the final host city in November 2025.
If successful, Nigeria will become the first African nation to stage the Commonwealth Games, nearly 100 years after the event was founded.
