A five-member Confederation of African Football (CAF) delegation completed its assessment on Tuesday of the Nigerian venues proposed for the body’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly and the 2026 CAF Awards.
Dr Christian Emeruwa headed the group, which comprised Hervé Dassoundo, responsible for Commercial and Branding; Inas Ahmed, who oversees Travel and Accommodation; Salah Mostafa from Transport; and Mohammed Bakeer, representing Technology. In Abuja, they visited Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Transcorp Hilton Hotel and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
The delegation reached Lagos on Sunday and, alongside five Nigeria Football Federation officials, examined Eko Hotel & Suites, Murtala Muhammed International Airport and the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.
Nigeria has designated the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre for the Ordinary General Assembly, while the CAF Awards are planned for the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.
During the visit to the Lagos arts venue, the CAF officials were accompanied by Lagos State Sports Commission Director General Hon. Lekan Fatodu and Director of Sports Nunayon Travih.
Alex Njoku, Special Assistant to the centre’s Director General, Ms Tola Akerele, guided the delegation around the expansive complex. It was first constructed in 1976 for the second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, hosted by Nigeria in early 1977, before undergoing renewal and being rededicated in October 2025.
The CAF representatives appeared highly satisfied with the locations they examined and underlined the need for an event that is smooth, secure, forward-looking and memorable, leaving a lasting impression on its visitors.
