Lagos Steps Up Preparations as CAF Inspection Team Assesses 2026 Awards Venue

Lagos has taken another major step towards hosting the 2026 CAF Awards, with a high-level inspection team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) visiting the state to evaluate facilities designated for the continent’s premier football awards ceremony.

The delegation carried out a detailed inspection of the proposed venue, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, alongside officials of the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The visit focused on ensuring the facility meets CAF’s technical, operational and branding standards ahead of the prestigious event.

The Lagos assessment forms part of CAF’s wider evaluation of Nigeria’s readiness to host two key events in 2026—the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Abuja and the CAF Awards in Lagos.

Nigeria secured the hosting rights after CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe requested the country to stage both events during the Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, two months ago. The proposal was subsequently approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The CAF inspection team is led by the organisation’s Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa, who is overseeing the project. He is joined by Mohammed Bakeer (Technology), Inas Ahmed (Travel and Accommodation), Salah Mostafa (Transport) and Hervé Dassoundo (Branding).

Before arriving in Lagos, the delegation conducted similar inspections in Abuja, where it assessed facilities for the CAF Ordinary General Assembly. The team visited the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre and the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

In Lagos, attention shifted to key infrastructure linked to the CAF Awards, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, and EKO Hotel & Suites, which is expected to host delegates and invited guests.

Throughout the inspections, the CAF officials were accompanied by an NFF delegation 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.

Officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission expressed confidence that the state would satisfy CAF’s requirements, stressing that preparations are progressing to deliver world-class facilities, efficient logistics and a memorable experience for participants.

The CAF Awards honour Africa’s outstanding performers in men’s and women’s football, attracting top players, coaches, administrators and football stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.

Nigeria has hosted the CAF Congress only twice—in 1980 and 2009. Successfully staging both the 2026 CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the CAF Awards would further strengthen the country’s standing as a leading destination for major continental football events.