Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed the state’s readiness to host the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards following inspection of the proposed venue by a high-powered CAF delegation.
The five-member delegation on Monday toured the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, popularly known as the National Theatre, in Lagos, which has been proposed as the venue for Africa’s premier annual football awards ceremony.
The inspection forms part of CAF’s assessment of facilities earmarked for two major continental events, the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the 2026 CAF Awards.
The delegation is led by CAF’s Head of Safety and Security, Christian Emeruwa, and includes Mohammed Bakeer (Technology), Inas Ahmed (Travel and Accommodation), Salah Mostafa (Transport), and Hervé Dassoundo (Branding).
They were received at the National Theatre by officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission led by its Director-General, Lekan Fatodu, before conducting a comprehensive inspection of the venue and its supporting facilities.
Reacting after the exercise, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that Lagos would deliver a world-class event, saying preparations were already at an advanced stage.
“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,” the governor wrote on his official X account.
“Lagos is ready, and we look forward to putting on a brilliant show for African football.”
If confirmed, the 2026 edition will mark the return of the CAF Awards to Lagos for the first time since January 2015.
Nigeria has previously hosted the prestigious ceremony on four occasions, reinforcing its status as one of Africa’s leading football destinations.
While Abuja is scheduled to host the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly on 21 November 2026, Lagos has been selected to stage the awards ceremony honouring the continent’s outstanding players, coaches, match officials, administrators, and other football personalities.
Before arriving in Lagos, the CAF delegation inspected facilities in the Federal Capital Territory as part of its evaluation tour.
The officials visited the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Friday before assessing the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the proposed venue for the CAF Congress, and the Transcorp Hilton Hotel on Saturday.
Accompanying the CAF team throughout the inspection was a five-member delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), comprising Director of Media and Communications Ademola Olajire, Director of Marketing Alizor Chuks, Head of Security Barnabas Joro, Chief Protocol Officer Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, and Head of ICT Tasiu Riskuwa Shehu.
Nigeria’s bid to host the two flagship CAF events received a major boost two months ago after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the country’s proposal during the Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, following a formal request by CAF President Patrice Motsepe.
With the inspection progressing smoothly and preparations gathering pace, Lagos is on course to welcome Africa’s football community for what is expected to be another memorable edition of the CAF Awards.
(Premium Times)
