AACT 2026: IBB Golf Club Dispels Doubts Over Abuja Hosting

The IBB International Golf and Country Club is set to reopen for golfing activities ahead of the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), with the club’s Board of Trustees assuring that the continental championship will go ahead as scheduled despite ongoing rehabilitation.

The AACT is billed for November 2 to 7 at the Abuja golf course, which has remained closed to regular golfing activities for more than a year as part of a Federal Government-backed rehabilitation programme.

Chairperson of the club’s Board of Trustees and President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, gave the assurance after inspecting the course and other facilities at the club.

Responding to concerns over whether the venue would be ready in time for the championship, Dongban-Mensem said the state of the course had given the club confidence that the tournament would proceed as planned.

“First of all, we are here at the IBB golf course. You can see that the course is in good shape,” she said.

“I want to assure you that the AACT 2026 will hold as scheduled. We expect our participating countries to come, and we are sure that everything will be made available to enable them to play a beautiful golf game throughout the period they are expected to play.

“Everything will not necessarily be in perfect condition, but for golfing, we are ready and the tournament will hold, by the grace of God.”

The assurance is significant as preparations for the continental event enter their final weeks, with the prolonged closure of the Abuja course having generated uncertainty over Nigeria’s readiness to host the championship.

President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, Lami Ahmed, also expressed satisfaction with the facilities following the inspection.

Ahmed commended the Board of Trustees and the club’s management for taking responsibility for the hosting of the tournament, describing the AACT as an event capable of giving Nigeria an opportunity to showcase its golfing facilities.

“We are absolutely delighted and happy, and we are grateful to the BOT and the management for giving us the shoulders to lean on to host this all-important tournament,” she said.

“As we are saying, we went to look for a square and came back with an elephant, and it is only IBB International Golf and Country Club that can carry the weight.”

Ahmed said the championship would offer more than competition, expressing confidence that visiting players and officials would have a memorable experience in Abuja.

“It’s actually going to be an experience beyond competition,” she added.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Interim Management Committee and former club captain, Peter Deshi, disclosed that the club is expected to reopen for regular golfing activities within the next month.

The rehabilitation extends beyond the 18-hole course, with work also ongoing on the clubhouse and other facilities to improve the overall environment and bring the club up to the required standard ahead of the AACT.

With the championship scheduled to begin on November 2, the focus is now on completing the remaining rehabilitation works and restoring the facility to full golfing use before teams from across Africa arrive in Abuja.

The organisers are consequently banking on the ongoing works and the commitment of the club’s management to ensure that the IBB International Golf and Country Club is ready to welcome the continent’s golfers for the six-day championship.