Nigeria has moved a step closer to hosting two of African football’s biggest annual events after a delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) completed a comprehensive inspection of facilities in Abuja and Lagos earmarked for the 2026 CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the CAF Awards.
The five-man CAF delegation, led by Head of Safety and Security Dr Christian Emeruwa, spent several days assessing key venues, airports, accommodation and logistics in both cities before concluding its visit on Tuesday.
Joining Emeruwa on the inspection tour were Mohammed Bakeer (Technology), Inas Ahmed (Travel and Accommodation), Salah Mostafa (Transport) and Hervé Dassoundo (Commercial and Branding).
In Abuja, the delegation visited the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Transcorp Hilton Hotel and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, which has been designated to host the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21, 2026.
The team later travelled to Lagos, where it inspected the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Eko Hotel & Suites and the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, the venue selected for the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony.
Originally built for the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77), the National Theatre complex underwent extensive renovation before being recommissioned in October 2025. Officials from the centre guided the CAF delegation through the upgraded facility during the inspection.
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According to officials accompanying the visit, the CAF team expressed satisfaction with the quality of the facilities while emphasising the need to deliver a seamless, secure and memorable experience for delegates, players, dignitaries and guests.
The inspection was coordinated by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), whose delegation included 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, led by Director-General Lekan Fatodu, also joined the inspection of facilities in the state.
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Speaking after accompanying the CAF delegation around the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed the state’s commitment to delivering a world class event.
“We guided them through the venue and gathered their feedback. Hosting an event of this scale means every single detail counts and our team is working hard behind the scenes to make sure we get it right.”
He added: “Lagos is ready and we look forward to putting on a brilliant show for African football.”
Nigeria secured the hosting rights for both events after President Bola Tinubu approved CAF President Patrice Motsepe’s request during the Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, two months ago.
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The country has hosted the CAF Awards on four previous occasions, with Lagos staging the most recent ceremony in 2015. The 2026 edition will once again bring together Africa’s biggest football stars, administrators and stakeholders, while Abuja hosts the continent’s annual football congress.
