Twenty-two years after hosting the All African Games in Abuja (Coja 2003) Nigeria has indicated interest in staging the African version of the Olympics again in 2031.
The interest to host the 2031 African Games emerged following a meeting between the National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and African Union Commissioner, Minata Samara Cessounma, at the recently concluded Inter-Regional African Ministerial meeting in Banjul, Gambia.
Although the interest remains unofficial, without a formal bid, the NSC Chairman revealed that his meeting with the African Union Commissioner explored the possibility of hosting the games in 2031.
The country has not hosted a major international sporting event since the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2019.
Nigeria has been grappling with infrastructural decay as it struggles to maintain it’s facilities to meet international standards.
According to Shehu Dikko, the country might explore opportunity of hosting the 2031 African Games.
“I, further engaged with H.E Ambassor Minata Samara Cessounma, the African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs & Social Development on need to collaborate to upscale and enhance the operations of AFRICAN UNION SPORTS COUNCIL REGION II which Nigeria is hosting the headquarters and leading the process. Preliminary exploratory discussions were also held to encourage Nigeria to consider making a bid to host the African Games 2031 among other progressive collaborative initiatives between Nigeria and Africa Union in advancing sports development in Africa.”
With the current economic challenges facing the West African country, it is yet unknown if the dream of hosting another major international competition will see the light of the day. Accra-Ghana hosted the 2023 edition of the African Games.
Egypt is expected to host the 2027 African Games while Congo Dr is expected to host the 2031 games.