The chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has expressed strong support for Nigeria’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, viewing it as a significant step forward in the country’s sports development journey.
Nigeria has officially submitted its bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games ahead of the March 28 deadline. This development followed a meeting of the Nigeria Olympic Committee executives on April 3 in Abuja.
Nigeria’s candidacy for the Commonwealth Games will not only highlight the country’s progress but also boost its international profile and fortify the local sports culture, according to a statement from Tony Nezianya, the NOC’s public relations officer. However, gaining the backing of the federal government is necessary for this bid to proceed.
As part of an all-encompassing plan to rejuvenate and revitalize Nigerian sports, Dikko confirmed that the National Sports Commission is committed to organizing significant continental and international sporting events and is completely in line with the NOC’s objective.
“The Nigeria Olympic Committee and I are completely in agreement,” Dikko said.
“Our dedication to reviving our strategy is demonstrated by the Africa Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, which we successfully hosted in Abuja. Our goals are to maintain the use of our sporting facilities and enhance our performance in hosting global events.
He emphasized that the African Junior Athletics Championship, which Nigeria is scheduled to host shortly after the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, will also take place at the sites put up for the event.
“We want to use sports to promote Nigeria’s cultural identity, strengthen national cohesion, and stimulate economic growth,” Dikko underlined.
The 2003 African Games in Abuja were Nigeria’s most recent major multisport event. According to the NOC, this experience shows Nigeria’s capacity to handle infrastructure, hospitality, and logistics at a high level and serves as a strong basis for the nation’s bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
From March 17 to 29, 2026, Glasgow, Scotland, will host the next Commonwealth Games.