Nigeria will on Wednesday deliver its final pitch to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement, National Sports Commission (NSC) confirmed that a high-powered Nigerian delegation, led by Shehu Dikko, NSC president, alongside Bukola Olopade, the commission’s director-general, has arrived in London for the decisive presentation.
Other members of the delegation include Sunday Dare, former sports minister; Habu Gumel, president of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC); Hannatu Musawa, minister of arts and culture; Mary Onyali, a five-time Olympian and double Commonwealth Games gold medalist; and Eniola Bolaji, the current para-badminton world number one.
The Commonwealth Games, held every four years, is a major multi-sports competition involving countries largely drawn from former British territories. Nigeria formally declared its interest in April, with Abuja proposed as the host city for the 2030 edition.
On September 18, members of the Commonwealth Games Bid Evaluation Team visited Abuja, where they were received by Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, alongside other senior government officials.
The bidding process is expected to conclude in November, with South Africa, Canada, and India also in contention. If successful, Nigeria would become the first African country to host the Games.
Nigeria previously lost its bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow, Scotland. The 2026 edition will also take place in Glasgow from July 26 to August 2, after Victoria, Australia, withdrew as host in 2023.
