The Federal Government says Nigeria hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games will guarantee inclusivity and inspire new generation of African and Commonwealth athletes.
Director Genraal of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade stated this on Thursday in Abuja while receiving officials of the 2030 Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee to Nigeria led by Darren Hall.
Olopade said the Commonwealth will only be fair and inclusive, if Nigeria and Africa is given the opportunity to host the Centenary Games in 2030,after all component parts of the Commonwealth had hosted,except Africa.
He argued that awarding the hosting rights to Nigeria will provide the Commonwealth the opportunity to ‘spearhead and start the revolution that is about to start in Africa by 2050 when 850m African youth will dominate the employment market across the world.’
Olopade also traced the history of Nigeria’s successful hosting of major continental and global events from sports, to cultural, to heads of governments, including the Africa Games in 1973 and 2003, the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, FESTAC ’77, Fifa U20 World Cup in 2009, CAA U18 and U20 Athletics Championships among others with excellent record.
The Chairman of the Commission, Shehu Dikko said the country’s bid was being championed by President Bola Tinubu and has the endorsement of the African continent, adding that Nigeria also has the human and material resources to host the best games ever.
Dikko stated that President Tinubu personally delivered a guarantee letter to the Commonwealth to underscore the country’s commitment with the bid, adding ‘By the time you meet with top government officials you see for yourself that we are serious, able, capable and ready to host the best games ever in the history of the Commonwealth Games.’
Leader of the Three-member Bid Evaluation Committee, Darren Hall said they are in the country to see things for themselves, discuss with Nigerians, see their passion and how prepared they are to host the Games in 2030.
Nigeria first tried it’s hands at hosting the Commonwealth games when the country bidded for the 20th edition in 2014 that was finally won by Glasgow, Scotland.
On Thursday, a 3- man Bid evaluation committee to Nigeria started work to access Nigeria’s chances with inspection of facilities after meeting the NSC leadership.
As at the close of formal bid on August 31,only Nigeria, India and Canada had submitted bids for which the host city confirmation is expected to be announced late Nov. 2025.
Nigeria believes hosting the Games will strengthen unity and national pride within Nigeria, leave behind lasting infrastructure, grassroots sports development and youth empowerment programmes and enhance the Commonwealth reach as well as relevance by expanding its footprint in Africa.
The team is expected to meet with top govt officials at the Villa for further discussions and will conclude their inspection on Friday before leaving on Saturday.