Nigeria awarded hosting rights for CAF events

Nigeria has been selected tohost the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the CAF Awards ceremony in 2026, following approval of the bid by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the decision after meetings convened at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe, together with senior officials from African football, participated in the discussions that resulted in Nigeria receiving the hosting rights.

In a statement released by the federation, it read: “The President and Commander‑in‑Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved Nigeria’s proposed hosting of the 48th Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football, as well as this year’s CAF Awards Ceremony.”

CAF President, President Tinubu, NFF President and other Nigerian representatives at the CAF event in Nairobi – image from CAF Facebook page

CAF Awards return to Nigeria

The CAF Awards ceremony will be staged in Nigeria for the first time since 2017. The annual event honors the continent’s top players, coaches, clubs and football administrators.

The CAF General Assembly is one of African football’s key gatherings, convening delegates from CAF’s 54 member associations and zonal unions.

Present at the Nairobi meetings were Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and former federation chief Amaju Pinnick.

Osimhen, Lookman eye major honours

Nigeria’s successful bid coincides with a strong period for several of its leading footballers. Victor Osimhen delivered an impressive season with Galatasaray, helping the club capture the Turkish league title, while Ademola Lookman continued his productive spell in Europe.

Both forwards are expected to contend for the upcoming CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.

In addition, the Nigeria women’s national team could feature prominently in several award categories after recent international achievements, including their WAFCON victory over Morocco women.