CAF Team Ends Inspection of Nigeria’s Proposed Venues for 2026 General Assembly, Awards
Nigeria has moved a step closer to hosting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) 48th Ordinary General Assembly and the 2026 CAF Awards after a CAF inspection team completed a three-day assessment of the country’s proposed venues in Abuja and Lagos.
The five-member delegation, led by Dr. Christian Emeruwa, wrapped up its inspection on Tuesday after visiting key facilities designated for the two flagship events.
The team assessed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Transcorp Hilton Hotel and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, which has been proposed as the venue for the CAF Ordinary General Assembly.
Before arriving in the nation’s capital, the delegation, accompanied by officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), had inspected the Eko Hotel & Suites, Murtala Muhammed International Airport and the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos.
The revitalised cultural landmark, recommissioned in October 2025, has been proposed as the venue for the 2026 CAF Awards.
During the Lagos inspection, the CAF officials were joined by the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, and the Commission’s Director of Sports, Nunayon Travih. The delegation was taken on a guided tour of the facility by Mr. Alex Njoku, Special Assistant to the Centre’s Director General, Ms. Tola Akerele.
Originally built in 1976 for the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77), the Wole Soyinka Centre has undergone extensive renovation and now stands as one of Nigeria’s premier event venues.
At the conclusion of the tour, the CAF delegation expressed satisfaction with the quality of the facilities presented, while stressing that the successful hosting of both events would depend on delivering a seamless, secure, innovative and memorable experience for delegates, dignitaries and guests from across Africa.
The inspection forms part of CAF’s evaluation process as Nigeria seeks to host two of African football’s biggest annual events, bringing together football administrators, stakeholders and the continent’s top stars for the General Assembly and the prestigious CAF Awards.
