CAF Delegation Begins Inspection Of Nigeria’s Facilities For 2026 Congress, Awards

A five-member delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has begun inspecting facilities in Nigeria as part of the country’s bid to host the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the CAF Awards.

The delegation arrived in Abuja on Thursday to assess venues and supporting infrastructure for the two flagship events, following approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Nigeria to stage them.

The approval came two months ago during the Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, after a request from CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe.

Leading the inspection team is CAF’s Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa. He is accompanied by Mohammed Bakeer (Technology), Inas Ahmed (Travel and Accommodation), Salah Mostafa (Transport) and Hervé Dassoundo (Branding).

The inspection commenced on Friday with a visit to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. On Saturday, the delegation is scheduled to assess the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, which has been earmarked to host the CAF Congress, as well as the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, which will accommodate delegates and officials.

The CAF Ordinary General Assembly is the Confederation’s biggest annual non-competition event, bringing together football administrators from across the continent to deliberate on the future of African football. Nigeria has previously hosted the Congress on only two occasions, in 1980 and 2009.

The delegation will continue its inspection on Sunday in Lagos, where it is expected to visit the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, the proposed venue for the CAF Awards, alongside the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and EKO Hotel & Suites.

Throughout the inspection, the CAF officials are being accompanied by a five-member delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), comprising Director of Media and Communications Dr Ademola Olajire, Director of Marketing Alizor Chuks, Head of Security Barnabas Joro, Chief Protocol Officer Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, and Head of ICT Tasiu Riskuwa Shehu.

The inspection is a key step in Nigeria’s preparations to host two of African football’s most prestigious annual events, with the country seeking to showcase its readiness to welcome delegates and guests from across the continent.