CAF Sends 15-Man Team to Nigeria for Final Inspection Ahead of 2026 Awards

Posted : 16 October 2026

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will send a 15-member delegation to Nigeria on Friday, October 16, for the final inspection of facilities ahead of the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the 2026 CAF Awards. The visit will assess preparations in Lagos and Abuja as Nigeria moves closer to hosting the two major continental football events.

The 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. The 2026 CAF Awards will follow on Monday, December 7, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos.

The delegation will be led by CAF Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa. The team is expected to arrive in Lagos on Friday afternoon for inspections and meetings with officials responsible for organising the events.

In Lagos, the CAF officials will inspect the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Eko Hotel & Suites and Murtala Muhammed International Airport. They will also meet representatives of the Lagos State Government to review preparations and address any outstanding requirements.

The delegation will then assess facilities in Abuja, including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Transcorp Hilton Hotel and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Courtesy visits to the chairman and director-general of the National Sports Commission are also scheduled.

The final inspection follows an earlier visit conducted between July 31 and August 4. During that exercise, CAF officials met representatives of government agencies and institutions involved in hosting the events in both cities.

Those discussions focused on coordination, communication and the responsibilities of the different organisations supporting the events. The latest visit will allow CAF to assess progress and determine whether the proposed venues and supporting facilities meet its requirements.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), a six-member delegation led by Dr Ademola Olajire will accompany the CAF officials during the inspections. The NFF team will help coordinate engagements between the continental governing body and Nigerian authorities.

The CAF Ordinary General Assembly is an important gathering for representatives of African football associations to discuss the administration and development of the game. The CAF Awards will bring together leading players, coaches, administrators and other personalities to celebrate achievements across African football.

Nigeria's hosting responsibilities present an opportunity to showcase its event facilities and organisational capacity to football stakeholders from across the continent. The final inspection will be a key step in evaluating readiness before the General Assembly and awards ceremony take place.

CAF Sends 15-Man Team to Nigeria for Final Inspection Ahead of 2026 Awards

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