Nigeria has renewed its commitment to making history as the first African country to host the Commonwealth Games, with President Bola Tinubu assuring that the nation is “ready, willing, and able” to deliver a world-class event in 2030.
The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, formally received the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The delegation was led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at Commonwealth Sport, as part of its inspection tour of prospective host nations.
Gbajabiamila delivered President Tinubu’s message of support, saying the 2030 Games would be an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s capacity, hospitality, and commitment to inclusivity.
“The President has written a Letter of Guarantee to you; his full weight is behind this bid,” Gbajabiamila told the delegation.
“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 since the Games began, and Africa has never hosted them. We believe it’s Africa’s time,” he stressed.
President Tinubu highlighted his administration’s reforms in the sports sector, including the replacement of the Ministry of Sports with the National Sports Commission to strengthen sports development. He pledged that Nigeria would deliver the infrastructure, security, and hospitality required to stage a successful Games.
Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, stressed that Nigeria’s hosting bid is both a national priority and a continental opportunity.
“Africa has 21 Commonwealth nations, and Nigeria, as the continent’s giant, deserves this honour,” Dikko said. “The President sees the 2030 Games as a celebration of Nigeria’s growing force in sports, beyond just participation,” he said.
Habu Gumel, President of Commonwealth Sport Nigeria, assured that the country’s plans include environmentally sustainable Games, while Mainasara Illo, Chairman of the Bid Committee, unveiled Nigeria’s proposal, which features 15 sports — including the introduction of football to boost global engagement.
Darren Hall praised Nigeria’s enthusiasm and hospitality, describing the country’s passion for sports as “thrilling.”
Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, is competing against Ahmedabad, India, to host the Games. The final decision on the host city will be taken by the Commonwealth Games General Assembly in November 2025.
The delegation’s visit was attended by key government officials, including Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris; Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa; and Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, all of whom pledged their support for the bid.
If successful, Nigeria’s hosting would mark the first time in nearly a century that the Games are staged on African soil, making the 2030 edition a milestone event.
