- Nigeria Ready To Host Historic 2030 Commonwealth Games – Tinubu
- Tinubu assured that Nigeria would meet all infrastructural, security and hospitality requirements
- Darren Hall commended Nigeria’s hospitality and noted the passion of its people for sports
President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria is fully prepared to host the first Commonwealth Games on African soil in 2030.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the assurance came on Thursday during a meeting with the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where the President was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
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Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s determination to deliver a world-class, inclusive and diverse Games. Gbajabiamila, accompanied by ministers and senior government officials, held talks with the visiting delegation led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at Commonwealth Sport.
The President described the bid as historically significant, noting that since the Games began in 1930, no African nation has ever hosted them. Nigeria’s earlier attempt to secure the 2014 Games was unsuccessful, while Durban, South Africa, lost the 2022 edition to Birmingham, UK, due to financial constraints.
In his remarks, Gbajabiamila extended Nigeria’s traditional hospitality to the delegation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment. “The President has written a Letter of Guarantee to you; his full weight is behind this bid. We’re ready, willing, and able. Africa deserves its moment,” he said.
Tinubu also highlighted recent reforms repositioning sports as a national development driver, including the transition from the Ministry of Sports to the National Sports Commission.
He assured that Nigeria would meet all infrastructural, security and hospitality requirements well ahead of schedule, stressing that the Games would leave a lasting legacy for youth and the nation’s growth.
Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, underscored Nigeria’s strength over India in the bidding process, pointing to its leadership role in African sports and the continent’s 22 Commonwealth member states.
Habu Gumel, President of Commonwealth Sport Nigeria, confirmed that Nigeria is committed to hosting an environmentally sustainable Games.
The Bid Committee Chairman, Mainasara Illo, presented Nigeria’s detailed proposal, which includes 15 sports and football as an additional feature to broaden global appeal.
In response, Darren Hall commended Nigeria’s hospitality and noted the passion of its people for sports, stressing that the Commonwealth, now 56 nations strong, is keen on greater diversity as it approaches its 100th anniversary.
Ministers at the meeting included those of Information and National Orientation, Aviation, Arts, Culture, Tourism, Housing and Urban Development, and Police Affairs.
If successful, Nigeria’s bid would secure a historic milestone positioning the country as the first African host of the Commonwealth Games, while showcasing the continent’s organizational and sporting excellence.
