President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared full support for Nigeria’s official bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, describing the effort as a “dream that must become reality.” In a statement shared on his official X account on Wednesday, the President emphasized the historic significance of bringing the Games to Africa for the first time in over a century.
“No African nation has ever hosted the Commonwealth Games,” Tinubu stated. “By bringing the Commonwealth Centenary Games to Nigeria in 2030, you will send a powerful message that every region of the Commonwealth matters. It is time for Africa.”
The statement comes just hours before Nigeria’s delegation presents its final bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) evaluation committee. The team is led by Shehu Dikko, President of the Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC), and Bukola Olopade, the Commission’s Director-General.
Nigeria’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Abuja is gaining momentum, with both federal and sporting authorities positioning the capital city as the ideal venue to mark the Games’ centenary. The Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) had earlier confirmed that it met the March 28, 2025 deadline to express interest in hosting the prestigious event.
In his call to the Commonwealth, President Tinubu urged the global sporting community to “complete the circle of unity” by awarding hosting rights to Nigeria. The move, he said, would affirm Africa’s growing role in international sports and the global Commonwealth family.
Hosting the 2030 Games would offer Nigeria a chance to boost its international image, foster unity, promote tourism, and reinvigorate the country’s sports development. Abuja, which hosted the African Games in 2003, remains the country’s most prepared city for such an international sporting event, featuring existing infrastructure and organizational experience.
Nigeria previously lost its bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow, which is also set to host the 2026 edition after Australia’s Victoria withdrew over rising costs.
