Nigeria on Thursday welcomed the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee to Abuja, a major step towards hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Bola Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, formally received the delegation at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat I can assure you is that we\u2019re ready,\u201d Tinubu told the delegation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He reaffirmed Nigeria\u2019s commitment to hosting an inclusive, diverse, and world-class 2030 Commonwealth Games on African soil.\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a statement he signed Thursday titled, \u2018Nigeria ready to host Africa\u2019s First Commonwealth Games in 2030-President Tinubu assures\u200e.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gbajabiamila, along with a strong Federal Government team of Ministers and senior government officials, held strategic talks with the delegation led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at Commonwealth Sport, and a member of the 2030 Evaluation Commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Tinubu emphasised that the Commonwealth champions unity and diversity, and Africa deserves its moment after nearly a century.\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Africa has never hosted the Games since their inception in 1930. Nigeria made an unsuccessful bid to host the 2014 Games. The city of Durban in South Africa won the bid to host the 2022 Games, but could not do so due to financial difficulties. Birmingham in the UK took over and hosted the Games. Thus, Nigeria\u2019s bid to host the 2030 Games would be historic, Onanuga stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his welcome remarks, Gbajabiamila called on the visitors to savour Nigeria\u2019s renowned hospitality: \u201cYou\u2019re very welcome to Nigeria. I hope you enjoy our great hospitality, which we are known for. Mr President also asked me personally to convey his regards; he fully supports this bid.\u201d\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe President has written a Letter of Guarantee to you; his full weight is behind this bid. What I can assure you is that we\u2019re ready. We\u2019re willing, we\u2019re able, and we actually want this. It\u2019s been almost 100 years. The games have not been held on any soil in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u200e\u201dThe element of inclusivity is what the Commonwealth is, and we hope that will benefit us,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Tinubu stressed that his administration has set some bold reforms to reposition sports, having realised its role as a strategic driver of national development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that he scrapped the Ministry of Sports and replaced it with the National Sports Commission in the bid to drive sports development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The President further assured the delegation that all infrastructural, security, and hospitality needs will be met ahead of schedule.\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He emphasised that Nigeria\u2019s bid is not just about hosting but also leaving a legacy for youth and national development.\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, made a strong case for Nigeria over India, stressing that Africa has 22 Commonwealth nations, and Nigeria, as the continent\u2019s giant, deserves the honour.\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne thing I want to assure you is that the President sees the hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2030, if we win the bid, as a celebration of the country\u2019s growing force in sports, beyond just participation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u200ePresident of Commonwealth Sport Nigeria, Habu Gumel, said the country is ready to host an environmentally sustainable Games.\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chairman of the Bid Committee, Mainasara Illo, presented Nigeria\u2019s proposal, highlighting key plans and innovations.\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He revealed that Nigeria proposes 15 sports, with football introduced to boost excitement, global visibility, and audience engagement.\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Director of Games and Assurance, Darren Hall, thanked President Tinubu and the Nigerian team for their warm welcome.\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have been most thrilled by the passion of the Nigerian people in all their endeavours, including sports.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the Commonwealth, now comprising 56 nations, aims for greater diversity as it approaches its 100-year milestone.\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, Minister of Aviation, Festus Kayamo, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa and\u200e Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, attended the meeting and made statements in support of the bid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nigeria and India are the two official bidders for the 2030 Games, with Abuja and Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, as their proposed host cities.\u200e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u200eAfter a thorough evaluation of both bids, the Commonwealth Games General Assembly will decide the host city in November 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n