President Bola Tinubu has approved Nigeria’s hosting of the 48th Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football as well as the 2026 CAF Awards Ceremony.
The approval was disclosed on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Nigeria Football Federation’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire.
According to Olajire, the President announced the decision during the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya.
He explained that Tinubu gave the approval after a meeting with CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, alongside other top football officials on the continent.
Olajire said Nigeria’s selection to host the two major football events demonstrated increasing confidence in the country’s ability to successfully organise continental sporting programmes.
He added that discussions at the meeting also centred on football development, infrastructure expansion and the need for stronger collaboration within African football administration.
“It is another opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s readiness and commitment to African football,” Olajire said
Among those present at the meeting were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, and former NFF President, Amaju Pinnick.
Also in attendance was CAF Acting Secretary-General, Samson Adamu, who participated in discussions on preparations for upcoming continental football activities.
The 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly is scheduled to hold in October.
The gathering is expected to bring together major football administrators and stakeholders from across Africa.
Presidents of CAF’s 54 member associations, representatives of zonal football unions and other senior football officials are expected to participate in the assembly.
The meeting remained one of CAF’s most significant annual events where major policy decisions and administrative issues affecting African football are discussed.
Nigeria’s hosting of the assembly is expected to further strengthen the country’s standing within African football circles.
Under the arrangement, Nigeria would also host the 2026 CAF Awards Ceremony, which celebrates outstanding achievements in African football.
The annual awards honour exceptional performances by players, coaches, teams and administrators across the continent.
The ceremony is widely recognised for blending entertainment, glamour and recognition in celebrating excellence in African football.
Stakeholders in the football sector believe hosting both events will further project Nigeria as a leading destination for major sporting activities in Africa.
