Joel Ajayi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which would mark the first time the event is staged on African soil.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) leadership, led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, received the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee in Abuja on Thursday as part of the ongoing bid process.
Dikko said President Tinubu remains determined to bring the Games to Africa, describing the move as “a major step toward inclusivity in the Commonwealth sporting community.”
He assured the delegation of Nigeria’s readiness, highlighting Abuja’s facilities and infrastructure.
In his remarked, the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade Olopade stressed that Nigeria’s bid rests on strong foundations, including modern facilities, political will, private sector backing, and passionate citizen support.
He noted that a robust bid document, prepared by the committee led by Mainasara Illo, further strengthens Nigeria’s chances of securing the hosting rights.
“The key elements of a bid of this magnitude are facilities, political will, private sector backing and the passion of the people. This bid has all of these elements and much more to prove our seriousness,” Olopade said.
“We have put a very strong bid committee together led by Mainasara Illo, with a very robust bid document. Therefore, we are very optimistic that with all the engagements we will be having with the Commonwealth Games Bid Evaluation Committee led by Darren Hall, throughout their visit, it will be another major step towards Nigeria winning the rights to host the 2030 Games,” Olopade added.
The delegation, led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at the Commonwealth Sport Federation, was also received at the Presidential Villa by Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside nine cabinet members and other top officials, underscoring government-wide support for the bid.
The Commonwealth Sport delegation consisted of Darren Hall, Director of games and assurance and member of the 2030 Evaluation Commission; Ann-Louise Morgan, CS Director of sport; and Ezera Tshabangu, CS regional development manager for Africa and Europe.
With the visit of the Evaluation Committee, Nigeria’s campaign to host the 2030 Games has taken another significant step forward.
