- 2026 CAFSanwo Olu said Lagos is ready for the CAF Awards
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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed confidence in the state’s readiness to host the 2026 CAF Awards after officials from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspected the National Theatre, the proposed venue for the prestigious event.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the five-member CAF delegation arrived in Nigeria last Thursday to assess facilities earmarked for the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly and the annual CAF Awards ceremony.
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The inspection team, headed by CAF’s Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa, includes Mohammed Bakeer (Technology), Inas Ahmed (Travel and Accommodation), Salah Mostafa (Transport) and Hervé Dassoundo (Branding).
Officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission, led by Director-General Lekan Fatodu, welcomed the delegation during Monday’s inspection of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, popularly known as the National Theatre.
In a post on his X account, Sanwo-Olu said the inspection provided an opportunity to review the venue and receive feedback from CAF officials.
He noted that preparations were progressing well, stressing that hosting an event of such magnitude requires careful attention to every detail. According to the governor, teams are working behind the scenes to ensure Lagos delivers a memorable competition worthy of African football.
The governor added that Lagos was fully prepared and eager to stage a successful CAF Awards ceremony.
Nigeria has hosted the CAF Awards on four previous occasions, with Lagos serving as the host city for the last edition held in January 2015.
Under the current arrangement, Abuja will stage CAF’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly on November 21, 2026, while Lagos will host the awards ceremony celebrating the continent’s outstanding footballers and officials.
Before arriving in Lagos, the CAF delegation inspected facilities in Abuja, including the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, which will host the General Assembly, and the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
The inspection tour is being coordinated by a five-member delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), comprising Director of Media and Communications Dr Ademola Olajire, Director of Marketing Alizor Chuks, Head of Security Barnabas Joro, Chief Protocol Officer Emmanuel Ayanbunmi and Head of ICT Tasiu Riskuwa Shehu.
Nigeria secured the hosting rights for both CAF events after President Bola Tinubu approved the request made by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe during the Africa Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, two months ago.
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