By Andrew Abah
Nigeria has delivered an advanced presentation to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday, to propel the nation’s bid to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030.
The Nigerian delegation, led by Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, emphasized that the bid is an opportunity to foster a shared legacy that epitomizes the Commonwealth spirit.
Nigeria presented an all-inclusive bid, with focus areas such as sports excellence, arts, international cultural exchange, tapping into a budding creative economy, building a new shared commonwealth legacy and shaping the future of the African youth.
The bid reflects the core values of Commonwealth Sport: More in Common, Equality, Humanity, and Destiny. The Abuja 2030 Games are designed to bring people together through the power of sport, reaching across gender, disability, culture, ethnicity, age, and background. They will celebrate what binds the Commonwealth together, fostering solidarity while opening pathways for more people to succeed in sport.
The bid also represents equality by offering Africa, for the first time in 100 years, the chance to host the Games. It reflects humanity by promising to transform lives and turn one million dreams into one million skills.
Also, it embodies destiny by positioning the Centennial Games in Nigeria as a defining moment that will shape the next century of the Commonwealth through youth, skills, and inclusive growth.
The delegation included Bid Coordinator, Mallam Mainasara Ilo; President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel; Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa; Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Sunday Dare; former Olympian and 2time Commonwealth gold medalist, Mary Onyali; and current world number one para-badminton player, Eniola Bolaji.
Nigeria’s Abuja 2030 bid is presented as an opportunity to shape the next century of the Commonwealth through humanity, equality, and shared destiny, ensuring that Africa’s youth are an important part to the future.