Nigeria Makes ‘Advanced’ Presentation for Historic 2030 Commonwealth Games Bid in London; Tinubu Assures Organisers

Nigeria has moved a significant step closer to hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games with a high-level delegation completing an advanced bid presentation to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) in London. This decisive push is part of a historic effort to become the first African nation to host the centenary edition of the Games.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed strong optimism and reiterated Nigeria’s full commitment to the bid. In a public message, the President declared that hosting the Games is a “dream” that must be realized, emphasizing that “it is time for Africa” to be central to the Commonwealth’s future after 100 years.

The presentation, which took place on Wednesday, was led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade. The team outlined an all-inclusive proposal for the Abuja 2030 Games, stressing its focus on building a shared legacy that blends sporting excellence with the arts, international cultural exchange, and tapping into Africa’s emerging creative economy.

According to a statement from the NSC, the bid is designed to reflect the core values of the Commonwealth Sport More in Common, Equality, Humanity, and Destiny with a promise to transform lives and turn one million dreams into one million skills.

The bid, which proposes Abuja as the host city, comes as Nigeria faces competition from India, which has put forward Ahmedabad. With the final decision from the CGF expected in November, the advanced presentation marks a critical juncture for Nigeria’s ambition to create a defining moment that will shape the next century of the Commonwealth through youth, skills, and inclusive growth.