Nigeria has officially submitted its bid to host the 2031 African Games, reaffirming its ambition to bring Africa’s biggest multi-sport festival back to the country nearly 25 years after hosting the 2003 edition in Abuja.
The announcement was made on Friday by the Director of Press at the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Kehinde Ajayi, who revealed that the proposal was formally presented to the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) during a high-level meeting. Renowned sports broadcaster and administrator, Mainasara Ilo, led the presentation on behalf of Nigeria.
According to Ajayi, Nigeria used the opportunity to express its readiness, experience, and infrastructure strength to stage another memorable continental sporting event.
The statement highlighted Nigeria’s strong track record of hosting international competitions, including the CAA Africa U18/U20 Athletics Championships, Africa Karate Championship, ITTF Africa Youth Table Tennis Championship, African Armwrestling Championship, West Africa Para Games, Badminton National Open, and the African Cadet and Junior Taekwondo Championship. These events, the NSC said, demonstrate the country’s consistent investment in sports development and organisational excellence.
Nigeria’s recent hosting of the CAA U18/U20 Africa Athletics Championships, for instance, provided a major boost to the economy, with over 5,000 small and medium-sized businesses benefiting from increased sales and activity across various sectors.
Similarly, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon now a World Athletics Gold Label race has placed Nigeria on the global sports map, attracting international athletes, boosting tourism, and showcasing the country’s growing sports profile.
The country also successfully staged the 2024 Africa Military Games, which strengthened Nigeria’s regional influence, advanced military diplomacy, and deepened cooperation across African nations.
Events such as the West Africa Para Games and other related competitions hosted in the country have created hundreds of direct jobs and positively impacted thousands more in hospitality, security, transportation, tourism, merchandising, and events management.
Nigeria’s bid for the 2031 African Games, the statement noted, is driven by a strategic vision to use sports as a major engine for national development, economic growth, and international visibility.
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