Remi Tinubu Opens AACT 2026, Backs 300-Girl Golf Development Initiative

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for greater investment in women’s golf and grassroots development, declaring the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) open at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The five-day championship, featuring 20 African countries, brings together some of the continent’s leading female golfers in a contest for continental honours, while providing a platform to strengthen relationships and promote the development of women’s golf across Africa.

Speaking at the official tee-off ceremony, the First Lady described Nigeria’s hosting of the prestigious competition for the third time as a demonstration of the confidence reposed in the country by the African golfing community.

She said the tournament’s theme, ‘Uniting Africa Through the Greens’, reflected golf’s ability to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries while promoting friendship, unity and a shared African identity.

Tinubu, who conveyed greetings from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commended the President of the Ladies Golfers Association of Nigeria (LGAN), Dr Lami Ahmed, her executive committee and the local organising committees for their efforts in bringing the championship to Nigeria.

She particularly applauded the association’s Girls in Golf Legacy Project, which aims to introduce 300 young girls to the sport across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

According to her, the initiative will create opportunities for a new generation of female golfers and strengthen women’s participation in sports.

“As a mother and advocate for women and girls, I commend the Ladies Golfers Association of Nigeria for the Girls in Golf Legacy Project, which will introduce 300 young girls to golf across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria and open new opportunities for the next generation,” she said.

Addressing the participating golfers, the First Lady urged them to compete with passion, uphold sportsmanship and use the championship to strengthen bonds across the continent.

She also encouraged visiting delegations to explore Nigeria’s cultural heritage, landmarks and hospitality during their stay.

“I wish you all the best. Play with passion, compete with the community, and let sportsmanship guide every stroke. As you compete, may the best team win and may Africa as one grow even stronger,” she added before formally declaring the championship open.

Nigeria targets stronger African golfing ties

Earlier, LGAN President, Dr Lami Ahmed, described hosting the championship as a major responsibility for the association, admitting that the scale of the assignment initially appeared overwhelming.

She said the decision to bid for the competition was taken two years ago, with Nigeria eventually securing the hosting rights.

Ahmed recalled that Nigeria had previously hosted the championship in 1996 and 2010, making the 2026 edition the country’s third opportunity to stage the continental competition.

She explained that the decision to bring the tournament to Abuja was driven partly by the desire to showcase a different side of Nigeria to the international community and respond to President Tinubu’s call for sports to be recognised beyond competition as a tool for national and continental unity.

The LGAN president also acknowledged the support of the First Lady, saying her presence at the ceremony had given significant encouragement to women golfers and the association’s development agenda.

Meanwhile, AACT President Cecile Poncet described the championship as more than a sporting competition, stressing its importance in building friendships, exchanging experiences and celebrating the talent of African women golfers.

She urged participating countries to preserve the association’s founding vision while creating more opportunities for emerging players to develop and compete at international level.

Poncet also described 2026 as an important year for the association, with elections providing an opportunity to review its progress and determine its future direction.

She called for greater unity, wider continental participation and increased recognition for women’s golf, while paying tribute to former AACT president Monika Ntege, who recently passed away. Participants observed a minute’s silence in her honour.

Also speaking, AACT Trustee for West and Central Africa, Ekanem Ekwueme, said the championship offered an important platform for building character, discipline, leadership and lasting relationships among female golfers.

She commended Nigeria, LGAN and the IBB International Golf and Country Club for hosting the competition, while acknowledging the support of The R&A, one of the sport’s leading international governing bodies, towards the development and sustainability of golf in Africa.

With 20 countries competing over five days, the AACT 2026 is expected to provide a significant test of Africa’s leading female golfing talents, while reinforcing Nigeria’s ambition to expand women’s participation and strengthen the sport’s grassroots development.

Beyond the battle for the trophy, the 2026 edition places particular emphasis on building a sustainable future for women’s golf, with the proposed introduction of 300 Nigerian girls to the sport emerging as one of the major legacies of the championship.