2027 Nigerian Open to Usher in New Era for Golf After 28-Year Break

Posted : 27 September 2026

The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) is set to revive the Nigerian Open Golf Tournament in 2027, with the event scheduled to take place from November 16 to 20 after a 28-year absence.

NGF President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, disclosed this in Abuja, saying the federation had spent time developing the structures and capacity required to stage a tournament that meets international standards.

The Nigerian Open was held from 1969 to 1999, predominantly at Ikoyi Club in Lagos, before moving to the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja, where the last edition was played.

Runsewe said the tournament’s revival would form part of the federation’s broader efforts to reposition Nigerian golf through improved administration, branding, technology and player development.

“We are very happy to announce that we will be organising a befitting Nigerian Open Golf Tournament, the biggest golfing event in the country after two decades of absence,” he said.

He explained that the federation’s preparations had included a new social media strategy, an upgraded website, insurance policies and the adoption of the World Handicap System (WHS) index.

According to Runsewe, the WHS would provide a unified handicap system for golf clubs across the country while helping to align Nigerian golf with international practices.

“This is going to be a new beginning for golf in Nigeria,” Runsewe said.

The NGF president added that more than 20 countries from Africa, Europe and other continents were expected to participate in the 2027 tournament.

He also disclosed that the federation was in discussions with Lakowe Golf Resort in Lagos as a potential host venue, with between 150 and 200 golfers expected to compete.

The tournament is planned as a 64-hole, four-day Pro-Am event with world ranking status and an Amateur World Ranking connection.

Runsewe said the ranking opportunities, combined with a competitive prize purse, would provide additional incentives for professional golfers and give the tournament a stronger international profile.

He added that winners would have opportunities to qualify for international circuits, while the federation had engaged consultancy and marketing firms to strengthen sponsorship, branding and promotion.

The successful marketing and branding companies, he said, would be announced in the coming weeks.

Runsewe explained that the NGF deliberately took time before announcing the tournament’s return to ensure it had the capacity to organise a sustainable event.

“Why rush into what you don’t have the capacity to deliver?” he asked.

Beyond the tournament itself, Runsewe said youth development would remain central to the federation’s plans, particularly its efforts to bridge the gap between younger and older generations of Nigerian golfers.

He said the NGF would also introduce coaching education programmes for professionals and golf academy coaches as part of efforts to raise technical standards.

According to him, modern golf coaching is increasingly technology-driven, making continuous professional education essential for coaches seeking to remain competitive.

“Training in golf is more IT-based now as the world is advancing and we don’t want Nigeria to be left behind,” he said.

Runsewe expressed appreciation to stakeholders and golf practitioners supporting the federation’s efforts, noting that their contributions would be crucial to sustaining the sport’s renewed development in Nigeria.

2027 Nigerian Open to Usher in New Era for Golf After 28-Year Break

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