Nigeria is set to become the epicenter of African football once again! President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially approved Nigeria’s bid to host the 2026 CAF Awards, ending Morocco’s three-year hosting streak and signaling a major win for the country’s sports diplomacy.
The approval was announced on May 12, 2026, during the President’s high-level meeting with CAF President Patrice Motsepe at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
The presidential nod covers two of the most significant events on the continent’s football calendar:
- The 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly: Scheduled for October 2026, this gathering will bring together the presidents of all 54 member associations and top global football administrators to discuss the future of the game.
- The 2026 CAF Awards: Slated for December 2026, this gala celebrates the continent’s best talent. Nigeria has a rich history with this event, having previously hosted it in cities like Lagos and Abuja. +1
The decision was finalized in the presence of a heavyweight Nigerian delegation, including:
- Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Minister of Foreign Affairs)
- Ibrahim Gusau (NFF President)
- Amaju Pinnick (Special Adviser to the CAF President)
President Tinubu emphasized that hosting these events is a core part of his administration’s strategy to use sports as a tool for economic growth, tourism, and national unity.
3. Chasing the Crown on Home Soil
The timing couldn’t be better for Nigerian fans. After Victor Osimhen (2023) and Ademola Lookman (2024) recently brought the Men’s Player of the Year award back to Nigeria, and Asisat Oshoala continues to dominate the women’s category, hosting the ceremony at home offers a perfect backdrop for Nigeria’s current “Golden Generation” to be honored in front of a home crowd.
