More than 350 golfers from Nigeria and other parts of the international golfing world are expected to travel to Uyo for the 2026 Ibom Open Golf Championship.
The tournament begins on Thursday, June 4, and runs through Sunday, June 7, with all four days of action set to be played at the Ibom Golf and Country Club in Akwa Ibom state.
Now in its second major phase of growth, the four-day event first launched in 2023 as an international amateur competition and has since expanded its reach. Each year, it draws a wider mix of players, visitors, sponsors, and sports fans from both inside and outside Nigeria.
At a media briefing held at the club on Tuesday, Usenobong Akpabio, chair of the organising committee, said the championship has become far more than a sporting contest. He explained that it has developed into a wider platform for promoting tourism, building networks, opening investment avenues, and driving broader economic participation.
Akpabio added that the strong turnout from golfers reflects how the championship’s profile is rising on the international amateur circuit.
He also disclosed that while the organisers initially planned for 300 participants for this year’s edition, registrations surpassed expectations early, with 350 players already listed within a short timeframe.
“You may be interested to know that, just like last year when we opened the registration portal, our target was around 250 players and in the space of one week, more than 200 golfers had registered,” Akpabio said.
“For this year, we set the goal at 300 golfers, but within one week 350 had already signed up. We still have golfers who are interested and waiting for the chance to take part in the championship,” he added.
Organiser data shows that participation in the Ibom Open has continued to rise steadily since the tournament began.
Compared with earlier editions that had a target of 250 players, this year’s confirmed figure of 350 represents a 40 percent increase in engagement—an indication of growing interest from both domestic and overseas golfers.
Sports analysts point to several drivers behind the upward trend, including better event organisation, stronger sponsorship support, improved facilities, and Akwa Ibom’s expanding reputation as a destination for sports tourism.
One of the headline features of the 2026 championship is the enhanced prize package unveiled by the organisers.
Akpabio revealed that Uganda Airlines has committed a business-class return ticket for the tournament’s winners, enabling them to travel to any destination served by the airline.
“The prize for this year is impressive. Uganda Air has provided a business-class ticket for the winners to fly to any place Uganda Air serves. It could be London, Uganda, or any other location within its network. That is a major attraction for this year’s event,” he said.
The improved prize structure is expected to raise the level of competition among participants and add further weight to the event’s standing.
Speaking at the briefing as well, Isua Archibong, captain of the Ibom Golf and Country Club, said he was encouraged by how quickly the championship has grown.
Archibong noted that the tournament is helping advance Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, particularly through tourism development, hospitality growth, and efforts aimed at diversifying the economy.
He said golf in Akwa Ibom has evolved beyond being a pastime or sporting challenge, positioning it as a strategic tourism product capable of drawing visitors, investors, and sports enthusiasts to the state.
“The golf course has continued to be one of the key tools for driving the ARISE Agenda. We have taken golf to another level. It is no longer only about coming here to play golf; we are presenting Akwa Ibom as the golf destination of West Africa.
“This is the best place to go for anything connected to golf,” Archibong added.
Stakeholders expect the championship to translate into significant economic gains for Akwa Ibom, driven by increased demand for hotels, restaurants, transport services, entertainment options, and local tourism sites.
With 350 golfers set to take part, alongside officials, sponsors, caddies, family members, and spectators, industry watchers believe several hundred additional visitors could also enter the state during the event window.
Representing one of the tournament’s sponsors, Ubong Ekwere said the company’s backing reflects a commitment to promoting tourism and encouraging economic growth in Akwa Ibom.
“Sporting events like the Ibom Open bring opportunities for higher visitor spending, business networking, and destination promotion. All of these support the state’s economic development,” Ekwere said.
Since it began in 2023, the Ibom Open has gradually built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading amateur golf tournaments.
The 2026 edition—with 350 golfers and a premium prize package—is expected to be the biggest in the tournament’s history, further strengthening Akwa Ibom’s image as an emerging centre for golf tourism across West Africa.
As players prepare to compete for honours over four days, organisers remain confident the championship will continue to spotlight Akwa Ibom as a top destination for sport, tourism, and investment, while expanding golf’s reach and influence throughout the region.
