Nigeria to Host CAF Awards and General Assembly

President Bola Tinubu approved Nigeria’s bid to host the 48th Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as well as the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony. The approval was announced during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, following a meeting between Tinubu and CAF President Patrice Motsepe. Those present included Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, former NFF president Ahmed Pinnick, and CAF Acting Secretary-General Samson Adamu.

The 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly is scheduled to take place in October and will gather presidents of CAF’s 54 member associations, representatives from the six zonal unions, and top football administrators from across Africa. The CAF Awards, known as one of the continent's premier annual sporting events, acknowledges outstanding players, coaches, clubs, and football figures across Africa.

President Tinubu is currently in Kenya for the Africa Forward Summit, which convenes African leaders, policymakers, investors, and development partners to discuss themes of economic growth, infrastructure, digital innovation, and enhanced regional cooperation. Earlier this week, Tinubu arrived in Nairobi and engaged in multiple bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening Nigeria's diplomatic and economic relationships across the continent.

Hosting the CAF General Assembly and CAF Awards is expected to enhance Nigeria’s sports tourism profile and establish the country as a vital destination for significant continental sporting events. Previously, Nigeria hosted the CAF Awards in Lagos and Abuja, recognizing stars including Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala among the continent's top football accolades.