Awalokan: Tinubu says Nigeria ready to host historic 2030 Commonwealth Games
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has declared that the country is fully prepared to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking what would be the first time the event is held on African soil since its inception in 1930.
President Tinubu made the assurance on Thursday during a high level meeting with the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to delivering an inclusive, diverse, and world class Games.
‘You’re very welcome to Nigeria. I hope you enjoy our great hospitality, which we are known for. Mr President also asked me personally to convey his regards; he fully supports this bid,’ Gbajabiamila told the delegation led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at Commonwealth Sport.
‘The President has written a Letter of Guarantee to you; his full weight is behind this bid. What I can assure you is that we’re ready. We’re willing, we’re able, and we actually want this. It’s been almost 100 years. The games have not been held on any soil in Africa,’ he added.
Africa has never hosted the Commonwealth Games. Nigeria previously bid for the 2014 edition but lost out. Durban, South Africa, won the rights to host the 2022 Games but later withdrew due to financial constraints, leading Birmingham, UK, to step in.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, quoted Tinubu as saying: ‘The element of inclusivity is what the Commonwealth is, and we hope that will benefit us.’
President Tinubu also highlighted sweeping reforms aimed at repositioning sports as a strategic driver of national development. He noted that his administration had scrapped the Ministry of Sports and replaced it with the National Sports Commission to better drive progress in the sector.
He assured the delegation that Nigeria would meet all infrastructural, security, and hospitality requirements ahead of schedule, emphasizing that the bid is not only about hosting the Games but also about leaving a lasting legacy for youth and national development.
Darren Hall, speaking on behalf of the Evaluation Committee, expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s warm welcome.
‘I have been most thrilled by the passion of the Nigerian people in all their endeavours, including sports,’ he said.
He noted that the Commonwealth, now comprising 56 nations, is striving for greater diversity as it approaches its 100-year milestone.
The meeting was attended by key ministers including Muhammed Idris (Information and National Orientation), Festus Keyamo (Aviation), Hannatu Musa Musawa (Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy), Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (Housing and Urban Development), and Ibrahim Gaidam (Police Affairs), all of whom voiced strong support for the bid.
Nigeria and India are the two official bidders for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with Abuja and Ahmedabad (Gujarat) as their proposed host cities. The final decision will be made by the Commonwealth Games General Assembly in November 2025
