Lagos ready to host CAF 2026 Awards, Gov Sanwo-Olu assures

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of the state government’s readiness to host the 2026 CAF Awards, scheduled for 7 December.

Mr Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance after meeting a CAF delegation led by Christian Emeruwa, the organisation’s Head of Safety and Security and project lead for the awards and its Ordinary General Assembly.

In a Facebook post, the governor said the state was committed to ensuring a smooth event, with particular attention to security, logistics, branding and access to the venue.

“Lagos is pleased to host the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards this December,r and we are committed to making it a memorable experience,” he wrote.

“Meeting with the CAF delegation, led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly, I assured them of our full support, with particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access.”

The governor said the ceremony would provide an opportunity to showcase Lagos’ culture, enterprise and hospitality to visitors from across Africa and beyond.

The awards will bring together leading African footballers, coaches, clubs and administrators to recognise outstanding performances in the men’s and women’s games.

CAF delegation inspects facilities

The meeting comes as CAF and Nigerian authorities prepare for two major events on the continental football calendar.

According to the inspection schedule announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), a 15-member CAF delegation is on the ground to assess facilities in Lagos and Abuja ahead of the awards and the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly.

The inspection programme includes the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Eko Hotel & Suites and Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

In Abuja, the delegation is scheduled to inspect the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Transcorp Hilton Hotel and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The General Assembly is scheduled for 21 November at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, while the awards ceremony will take place in Lagos on 7 December.

This latest inspection process follows an earlier visit by CAF officials from 31 July to 4 August, when representatives of the institutions and agencies involved in organising the events discussed coordination and other arrangements.

A six-member NFF team led by its Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, is also expected to accompany the CAF delegation during the inspections.

Nigeria’s history at the CAF Awards

The 2026 ceremony will give Nigerian football another chance to feature prominently at the continent’s annual awards.

Nigeria has produced several winners in the men’s and women’s Player of the Year categories. Victor Osimhen won the men’s award in 2023, followed by Ademola Lookman in 2024.

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Their successive victories continued a tradition set by Nwankwo Kanu, who won in 1996 and 1999, and Victor Ikpeba, who won in 1997.

At the 2024 ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, Nigeria’s Super Falcons were named Women’s National Team of the Year, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

At the 2025 edition in Rabat, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak won the men’s and women’s Player of the Year awards, respectively. Nnadozie retained the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year honour.

Beyond recognising individual and team achievements, the Lagos ceremony will place the state before an international audience of football officials, players and visitors.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the state looked forward to welcoming football leaders and guests while demonstrating its capacity to host major international events.

The preparations will require coordination among the state government, CAF, the NFF, and other relevant agencies, particularly on security, transport, accommodation, and access to the ceremony venue.