Nigeria has officially expressed interest in bidding to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with Abuja proposed as the host city. This initiative aims to position Nigeria as the first African nation to host the prestigious event since its inception in 1930.
Senator John Owan Enoh, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, highlighted the continent’s absence from the Commonwealth Games hosting roster as a “black spot” during a press briefing in Abuja. He emphasized the importance of Africa taking a proactive role in hosting international sporting events. “While in Ghana during the 2023 All African Games, I appealed for African countries, particularly Nigeria, to submit bids to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games,” Enoh stated. He further noted that with early preparations and infrastructural improvements, Nigeria possesses the necessary facilities to host the Games successfully.
To bolster Nigeria’s readiness, the federal government has earmarked over N31.4 billion for the renovation and upgrade of critical sports facilities nationwide. This includes significant allocations for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, among other key venues. The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to rejuvenating the country’s sports sector and enhancing its capacity to host international competitions.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has shown openness to Africa hosting the Games, with discussions around co-hosting arrangements to alleviate the financial burden on a single nation. Miriam Moyo, a CGF executive board member, mentioned that countries like Nigeria and Botswana have expressed interest, suggesting that collaborative efforts could facilitate Africa’s successful bid.
As Nigeria embarks on this ambitious journey, the focus will be on strategic planning, infrastructural development, and garnering continental support to bring the Commonwealth Games to Africa for the first time.
