A five-member CAF delegation has inspected the National Theatre ahead of the 2026 ceremony, with Lagos preparing to welcome Africa’s football elite
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured the Confederation of African Football that Lagos is ready to host the 2026 CAF Awards after a five-member CAF delegation inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, popularly known as the National Theatre, on Monday.
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The inspection formed part of a wider assessment of facilities Nigeria has proposed for the hosting of the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and annual CAF Awards, bringing the prestigious continental football ceremony closer to a return to Lagos.
The CAF delegation, led by former Nigeria Football Federation presidential aspirant and CAF Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa, was received by officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission led by its Director-General, Lekan Fatodu.
The inspection team also included Mohammed Bakeer, who oversees technology; Inas Ahmed, responsible for travel and accommodation; Salah Mostafa, who handles transport; and Hervé Dassoundo, in charge of branding.
Sanwo-Olu said the visit provided an opportunity for CAF officials to assess the venue and offer feedback as preparations gather momentum.
“We guided them through the venue and gathered their feedback. Hosting an event of this scale means every single detail counts and our team is working hard behind the scenes to make sure we get it right,” the governor said in a post on X on Monday.
“Lagos is ready and we look forward to putting on a brilliant show for African football.”
The inspection is a significant step in Nigeria’s preparations to stage one of African football’s most prominent annual celebrations, which brings together leading players, coaches, administrators and other figures from across the continent.
Lagos CAF Awards organisers will now have to ensure that the venue, security arrangements, technology, transportation, accommodation and branding meet CAF’s operational requirements ahead of the ceremony.
Nigeria has previously hosted the CAF Awards four times, with Lagos last staging the event in January 2015.
The return of the ceremony to the commercial capital would therefore mark an important moment for the city and the country’s role in continental football.
While Lagos has been selected to host the awards ceremony, Abuja will host the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21, 2026.
The CAF delegation had earlier inspected facilities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday before visiting the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, which has been designated as the venue for the General Assembly, and the Transcorp Hilton Hotel on Saturday.
The inspection tour is being supported by a five-member NFF delegation comprising Dr Ademola Olajire, Director of Media and Communications; Alizor Chuks, Director of Marketing; Barnabas Joro, Head of Security; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, Chief Protocol Officer; and Tasiu Riskuwa Shehu, Head of ICT.
The two CAF events were approved for Nigeria after President Bola Tinubu granted permission for the country to host them following a request by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe at the Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, two months ago.
The decision reflects the growing ambition to position Nigeria as a major destination for international sporting and cultural events while showcasing the country’s football heritage and organisational capacity.
For Lagos, the CAF Awards will offer another opportunity to combine sport, culture and hospitality on a major continental stage.
With the National Theatre serving as the proposed venue, the state will also have the chance to present one of its most iconic cultural landmarks to an audience drawn from across Africa.
The latest inspection suggests that preparations are moving into a more detailed phase, with CAF officials assessing the practical requirements needed to deliver a smooth and memorable event.
Also read: Tinubu approves 2026 Nigeria’s CAF Awards hosting bid
Sanwo-Olu’s assurance that Lagos is ready will now be tested against the final technical and operational assessments as Nigeria works towards hosting two landmark CAF events later this year.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
