Nigeria Bids To Host 2031 African Games After Commonwealth Suffers Setback

Following an unsuccessful bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which were awarded to India, Nigeria has formally submitted its proposal to the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) to host the 2031 African Games.

This move signals the nation’s ambition to welcome Africa’s premier multi-sport event once again, nearly 25 years after successfully staging the 2003 edition (COJA) in Abuja.

Director of Press at the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr Kehinde Ajayi, disclosed this via a statement released early on Friday.

Ajayi stated that the bid presentation was made during high-level discussions with the AUSC, where Nigeria reaffirmed its readiness and capacity to organise another world-class continental festival. Esteemed sports broadcaster and administrator, Mainasara Ilo, presented the bid to the AUSC.

The statement highlighted Nigeria’s exceptional organisational capabilities, demonstrated through its successful hosting of numerous major international sporting events.

These include the CAA Africa U18/U20 Athletics Championships, the Africa Karate Championship, the ITTF Africa Youth Table Tennis Championship, the African Armwrestling Championship, the Badminton National Open, the West Africa Para Games, and the African Cadet and Junior Taekwondo Championship, among others.

These achievements underscore the country’s sustained preparation for hosting an event of the magnitude of the Africa Games.

Nigeria’s successful hosting of the CAA U18/U20 Africa Athletics Championships generated a significant economic impact, stimulating activity across multiple value chains.

Over 5,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefited from increased patronage, injecting substantial cash flow into the local economy.

Similarly, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, recognised as a World Athletics Gold Label race, has become a major global showcase for Nigeria, enhancing international visibility, boosting tourism, and attracting elite participation from around the world.

Nigeria also hosted the 2024 Africa Military Games, an event that strengthened the nation’s soft power, deepened regional cooperation, and advanced military diplomacy on the continent.

Additionally, the West Africa Para Games and several related events hosted in the country created hundreds of direct jobs while indirectly impacting thousands more in sectors such as hospitality, transportation, tourism, security, merchandising, and event services.

Nigeria’s bid to host the 2031 Africa Games is guided by a forward-looking vision to harness sport as a catalyst for national development.