Nigeria willing to host 2031 All African Games

By Olaolu Joseph
Twenty-two years after hosting the All African Games, Nigeria has indicated interest in staging the African version of the Olympics again.
The interest to host the 2031 African Games emerged following a meeting between the National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Shehu Dikko, and African Union Commissioner, Minata Samara Cessounma, at the recently concluded Inter-Regional African Ministerial meeting in Banjul, Gambia.
Although the interest remains unofficial, without a formal bid, the NSC Chairman revealed that his meeting with the African Union Commissioner explored the possibility of hosting the games in 2031.
The country has not hosted a major international sporting event since the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009. Nigeria has been plagued by infrastructural deficits as it struggles to maintain its facilities to meet international standards.
According to Shehu Dikko, the country might explore the opportunity of hosting the 2031 African Games.
With the current economic challenges facing the West African country, it is yet unknown if the dream of hosting another major international competition will materialize. Accra, Ghana, hosted the 2023 edition of the African Games.
Egypt is expected to host the 2027 African Games, while Nigeria could secure the 2031 hosting rights, originally expected to be awarded to Congo.