Nigeria ready to host 2026 CAF General Assembly and Awards, says Dikko

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to successfully staging the 48th Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football in Abuja and the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony in Lagos.

Dikko gave the assurance on Tuesday during a courtesy visit from a CAF delegation inspecting venues and facilities in Abuja ahead of the congress. The delegation had previously assessed facilities in Lagos and held discussions with relevant agencies, institutions and stakeholders.

He said the two events would provide Nigeria with an opportunity to demonstrate its organisational capabilities while contributing to the development of African football.

Dikko added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the hosting plans after being briefed by CAF leaders on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya five months ago.

“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the government of our country are very, very committed to hosting bespoke events that will underscore the capacity of our people in organisation and management of high-profile events,” Dikko said.

“We will work together as one team to make sure this is delivered to the best that it could be.”

The NSC chairman also recognised the support of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in preparations for the General Assembly in Abuja.

Abuja and Lagos will have separate but complementary responsibilities, with the federal capital hosting the General Assembly proceedings and Lagos staging the CAF Awards.

Dikko described Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial hub and pointed to the city’s experience of hosting major international sporting and cultural events. He said the NSC was coordinating with government bodies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, to make arrival and departure procedures as efficient as possible for international visitors.

The chairman also linked the events to wider plans to improve Nigeria’s sports infrastructure. He said continuing investment would soon demonstrate the country’s ability to host major international competitions and games.

He reiterated plans to mobilise an initial proposed investment through a Sports Infrastructure Development Bond, which would support the upgrading of facilities across the country.

Dikko expressed confidence that cooperation between the Federal Government, the NSC, the Lagos State Government, the FCT administration, the NFF and CAF would ensure both events were delivered successfully.

He said the initiative would strengthen Nigeria’s standing in international sports administration and underline the country’s commitment to advancing African football.

Earlier, the Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, received the CAF delegation at his office and pledged the NFF’s full cooperation.

Ikpeme said the federation would deploy its personnel to work with CAF in delivering a successful Ordinary General Assembly and a memorable CAF Awards ceremony.