Minister Backs LGAN, Pledges Visa Ease, Security For 2026 Africa Golf Championship

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has pledged support for a seamless hosting of the All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) in Abuja.

Tunji-Ojo made the pledge during a courtesy visit by President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), Lami Ahmed
and her delegation to his office on Wednesday.

The minister commended women’s growing participation in golf, describing them as strong and capable contributors to national development and leadership.

“Women are not weaker vessels. Strength and resilience define them. I see confidence and leadership in women golfers, and that inspires me greatly,” Tunji-Ojo said.

He praised LGAN’s leadership, noting that managing an association requires dedication, vision, and resilience beyond ordinary expectations.

“Keeping an association united is not easy. Your leadership reflects discipline and excellence. I commend you for sustaining this progress,” he added.

Tunji-Ojo also congratulated Nigeria for securing hosting rights for the continental championship, describing it as a significant achievement.

“Winning the hosting rights against strong contenders is commendable. It is a proud moment for Nigeria and a testament to your hard work,” he said.

On visa facilitation, the minister assured that entry processes would be simplified for visiting delegations across Africa.

“Visa is an enabler, not a barrier. We will ensure smooth entry processes that promote tourism, trade, and a positive Nigerian experience,” he stated.

He directed the Nigerian Immigration Service to create a dedicated desk to coordinate arrivals and logistics with LGAN officials.

Tunji-Ojo also assured adequate security through collaboration with relevant agencies to guarantee safety throughout the event period.

“Security is our core mandate. We will deploy adequate personnel and logistics to ensure a safe and successful championship,” he said.

The minister pledged to support partnerships and inter-agency collaboration to strengthen the event’s execution and outcomes.

“We will facilitate connections with institutions and agencies to ensure this event meets global standards and delivers lasting impact,” he added.

Earlier, LGAN President, Ahmed, said Nigeria would host the All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) from Nov. 2 to Nov. 14, 2026, in Abuja.

She noted that the event would attract participants from over 30 African countries, positioning Nigeria as a hub for sport and diplomacy.

“This championship is more than a tournament; it is a platform for continental unity, investment, and global visibility for Nigeria,” Ahmed said.

She commended ongoing reforms in the Interior Ministry, particularly improvements in passport processing and border management systems.

“These reforms reflect efficiency and professionalism, aligning with our vision to present Nigeria as a modern and welcoming destination,” she said.

Ahmed said LGAN required support in visa facilitation, security, corporate partnerships, and inter-ministerial collaboration, adding that the Local Organizing Committee was deploying a N547 million operational framework to execute the large scale project.

“We seek strategic partnership to deliver a seamless, secure, and globally competitive championship that reflects Nigeria’s excellence,” she stated.

She added that the event aligned with national priorities on tourism, youth engagement, women empowerment, and international image projection.

“With strong institutional backing, Nigeria will once again demonstrate leadership and organisational capacity on the continental stage,” Ahmed said.

NAN reports that the highlight of the meeting was the decoration of the minister by LGAN as an AACT partner and presentation of award in recognition of his leadership and hard work in the Ministry. (NAN).