AACT 2026 To Advance Women’s Empowerment, African Unity – NILDS DG

The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, has described the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) as a major platform for advancing women’s empowerment, sports diplomacy and African unity.

Sulaiman also commended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her commitment to promoting women’s participation in sports, particularly through the Girls in Golf Legacy Project.

He made the remarks during the official opening ceremony of AACT 2026 at the IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja, where he reaffirmed NILDS’ partnership with the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) towards the successful hosting of the continental championship.

Speaking with journalists after participating in the symbolic tee-off, Sulaiman said the championship, themed ‘Uniting Africa Through the Greens’, went beyond sporting competition, offering opportunities to strengthen regional integration, economic development and gender inclusion.

He noted that sports remained an effective instrument for bringing people together across political, ethnic and linguistic boundaries, fostering mutual respect, shared identity and continental solidarity.

The NILDS boss particularly applauded the First Lady’s support for the Girls in Golf Legacy Project, an LGAN initiative aimed at introducing 300 young Nigerian girls to golf across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

The initiative, announced by Senator Tinubu at the opening ceremony, is expected to provide opportunities for young girls to discover and develop their talents while encouraging greater female participation in golf.

Sulaiman described the intervention as a significant contribution to gender inclusion and the broader advancement of women in society.

He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting Nigeria’s hosting of the championship and acknowledged the First Lady’s collaboration with LGAN in making the event possible.

Explaining NILDS’ involvement, Sulaiman said the Institute’s partnership with LGAN was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which enabled it to deploy its institutional networks, particularly its engagements with the National Assembly leadership and relevant committees, to strengthen support and visibility for the championship.

He stressed that NILDS’ involvement was a deliberate extension of its mandate as the National Assembly’s premier legislative research, training and policy advisory institution.

According to him, sports governance and development deserve greater attention in national development policies, adding that NILDS was not merely supporting a sporting event but contributing to an enabling environment for sports development, investment and stronger continental relationships.

Sulaiman also expressed enthusiasm about the Sports-to-Business Investment Pavilion, themed ‘Africa Trades in Abuja’, describing it as an innovative platform for linking sports with enterprise development, investment opportunities and economic diplomacy.

He said the initiative underscored the economic potential of sports and the importance of sustainable institutional and private-sector partnerships in positioning Africa competitively on the global stage.

The NILDS Director-General welcomed participating contingents from across Africa, assuring them of Nigeria’s hospitality and expressing confidence that the championship would create lasting memories for golfers and visitors.

He also commended LGAN’s leadership, particularly its Local Organising Committee, for its vision and commitment in bringing the continental competition to Nigeria.

Sulaiman further acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the management of IBB Golf and Country Club, relevant government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the military, paramilitary and corporate partners.

He reaffirmed NILDS’ commitment to supporting initiatives that promote women’s participation in sports, deepen African cooperation and enhance Nigeria’s international standing.

The 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy has attracted female golfers from 20 African countries, providing a continental platform for sporting excellence, friendship and cooperation while reinforcing the role of golf in strengthening African unity.