Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured the Confederation of African Football, CAF, that the state is ready to host the 2026 CAF Awards, saying the government is working to ensure a successful and memorable ceremony.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance after a five-man CAF inspection team visited the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, popularly known as the National Theatre, the proposed venue for the prestigious football awards.
The CAF delegation arrived in Nigeria last Thursday to inspect facilities being presented by the country ahead of the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the annual CAF Awards.
The inspection team is led by CAF Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa, a former presidential aspirant for the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, presidency.
Other members of the delegation are Mohammed Bakeer, who is responsible for technology; Inas Ahmed, Travel and Accommodation; Salah Mostafa, Transport; and Hervé Dassoundo, Branding.
The team was received at the National Theatre on Monday by officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission, led by its Director-General, Lekan Fatodu.
The inspection formed part of preparations to ensure that the facilities and services required for the international events meet CAF standards.
Sanwo-Olu, in a post on X on Monday, said the state government was committed to delivering a successful event.
“We guided them through the venue and gathered their feedback. Hosting an event of this scale means every single detail counts and our team is working hard behind the scenes to make sure we get it right,” the governor said.
“Lagos is ready and we look forward to putting on a brilliant show for African football.”
The CAF inspection team is assessing a number of areas that will be important to the successful hosting of the events, including security, technology, transportation, accommodation, branding and the overall readiness of the venues.
The National Theatre, which is located in Iganmu, Lagos, is one of Nigeria’s most prominent cultural landmarks. The facility has hosted major national and international events and is expected to provide the setting for the gathering of Africa’s football stars, officials and other stakeholders during the awards ceremony.
The CAF Awards are among the continent’s biggest annual football events, bringing together leading players, coaches, administrators and other personalities who have made outstanding contributions to African football.
The ceremony will honour the best performers in African football and is expected to attract football stars, national team officials, club representatives, government officials and other guests from across the continent.
Nigeria has a history of hosting the CAF Awards. The country has hosted the ceremony on four previous occasions, with Lagos staging the most recent edition in January 2015.
The return of the awards to Lagos is therefore expected to provide another opportunity for the state to showcase its capacity to host major international sporting and cultural events.
However, Lagos will not host the CAF General Assembly. The 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly is scheduled to take place in Abuja on November 21, 2026, while Lagos will host the awards ceremony.
The CAF inspection team had earlier visited Abuja as part of its assessment of facilities for the General Assembly.
The delegation inspected the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Friday before visiting the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the proposed venue for the Congress, and the Transcorp Hilton Hotel on Saturday.
The inspection tour is being supported by a five-man NFF delegation comprising Dr Ademola Olajire, Director of Media and Communications; Alizor Chuks, Director of Marketing; Barnabas Joro, Head of Security; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, Chief Protocol Officer; and Tasiu Riskuwa Shehu, Head of ICT.
The involvement of the NFF is expected to help coordinate the technical and administrative requirements for the two events with the CAF team and relevant government authorities.
Nigeria’s selection to host the two major CAF events followed a request by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe.
About two months ago, at the Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, President Bola Tinubu approved the country’s hosting of the CAF General Assembly and Awards.
The decision is seen as an important opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its relationship with the continent’s football governing body while also showcasing the country’s ability to stage major international events.
For Lagos, hosting the CAF Awards is also expected to bring international attention to the state and provide an opportunity to promote its growing reputation as a destination for major sports, entertainment and cultural activities.
The state has in recent years hosted several high-profile events involving international visitors, artistes, athletes and business leaders.
The government is now expected to work with CAF and the NFF to address any issues identified during the inspection and ensure that the venue and other supporting facilities are ready before the awards.
The inspection comes months before the ceremony, giving the state and other organisers time to make necessary improvements and put in place arrangements for security, transportation, accommodation, technology and protocol.
With the CAF team already inspecting venues in both Abuja and Lagos, preparations for the 2026 events are expected to intensify in the coming months.
Sanwo-Olu’s assurance that Lagos is ready also signals the state government’s determination to use the event to present the city as a leading destination for international football and major global events.
The governor said the state was looking forward to putting on a “brilliant show” for African football, as Lagos prepares to welcome some of the biggest names in the sport for the 2026 CAF Awards.