Presidential Bola Tinubu has said that the country was ready to host the first Africa’s Commonwealth Games in 2030. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the President gave this assurance yesterday while welcoming the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee to Abuja at the Presidential Villa.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to hosting an inclusive, diverse, and world-class 2030 Commonwealth Games on African soil.
Gbajabiamila, along with a strong Federal Government team of Ministers and very senior government officials, held strategic talks with the delegation led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at Commonwealth Sport, and a member of the 2030 Evaluation Commission.
The President emphasised that the Commonwealth champions unity and diversity, and Africa deserved its moment after nearly a century. Africa has never hosted the Games since their inception in 1930. Nigeria made an unsuccessful bid to host the 2014 Games. The city of Durban in South Africa won the bid to host the 2022 Games, but could not do so due to financial difficulties. Birmingham in the UK took over and hosted the Games.
Thus, Nigeria’s bid to host the 2030 Games would be historic. According to a statement by the Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Gbajabiamila, in his remarks, called on the visitors to savour Nigeria’s renowned hospitality: “You’re very welcome to Nigeria.
I hope you enjoy our great hospitality, which we are known for. Mr President also asked me personally to convey his regards; he fully supports this bid. “The President has written a Letter of Guarantee to you; his full weight is behind this bid. “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.
The games have not been held on any soil in Africa. “The element of inclusivity is what the Commonwealth is, and we hope that will benefit us.” Tinubu stressed that his administration has set some bold reforms to reposition sports, having realised its role as a strategic driver of national development.
He added that he scrapped the Ministry of Sports and replaced it with the National Sports Commission in the bid to drive sports development. The President further assured the delegation that all infrastructural, security, and hospitality needs would be met ahead of schedule.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s bid was not just about hosting but also leaving a legacy for youth and national development. Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, made a strong case for Nigeria over India, stressing that Africa has 22 Commonwealth nations, and Nigeria, as the continent’s giant, deserved the honour.
“One thing I want to assure you is that the President sees the hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2030, if we win the bid, as a celebration of the country’s growing force in sports, beyond just participation.”
