CAF Awards: 15-man delegation arrives in Nigeria for venue inspection

A 15-member delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) arrives in Nigeria on Friday for a final inspection of key facilities for the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the 2026 CAF Awards.

The inspection is aimed at assessing Nigeria’s readiness to host the two major continental football events scheduled for November and December.

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

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The CAF Awards is one of African football’s flagship events, bringing together leading players, coaches, officials and other stakeholders to celebrate achievements across the continent.

The upcoming visit follows an initial inspection conducted from July 31 to August 4, during which CAF officials met executives of institutions and agencies involved in hosting the events in Lagos and Abuja.

The meetings established a framework for regular communication, coordination and agreements aimed at ensuring the events are delivered seamlessly, with an emphasis on innovation and long-term planning.

The 15-member delegation will be led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, CAF’s head of safety and security. The team is scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Friday afternoon for further assessments and engagements with key stakeholders.

In Lagos, the delegation will inspect the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Eko Hotel & Suites and Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The team will also meet officials of the Lagos State Government.

In Abuja, the inspection will cover the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Transcorp Hilton Hotel and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The delegation is also scheduled to pay courtesy visits to the chairman and director-general of the National Sports Commission as part of engagements with Nigerian sports authorities.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will coordinate the inspections, with a six-member delegation led by Dr Ademola Olajire accompanying the CAF officials in Lagos and Abuja.

The final inspection will provide an opportunity for CAF to assess preparations across the proposed venues, accommodation facilities and airports, as Nigeria moves closer to hosting two important events on the African football calendar.