…Criticises Africa’s exclusion from hosting sports tournament for 100 years
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Abbas Tajudeen, has called on the Commonwealth to approve Nigeria’s bid for the Commonwealth Games 2030 in the spirit of fairness and inclusion.
The Speaker declared that the National Assembly is backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the country’s bid to host the sports competition.
Speaker Abbas also expressed the commitment of the National Assembly towards making budgetary allocations to the preparations for the hosting of the Commonwealth Games. He stated that the Nigerian Parliament was willing to push the country towards meeting all requirements within three years.
The Speaker gave the assurance when the Commonwealth Games Bid Evaluation Committee visited his National Assembly office on Thursday to seek his endorsement and legislative support for the bid.
The delegation was made up of representatives of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the National Institute for Sports (NIS), the Commonwealth Games Nigeria (CGN), and members of the Abuja 2030 Bid Committee.
On the entourage were the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko; the Director-General of the NSC, Hon Bukola Olopade; the Director-General of the NSI, Comrade Philip Shaibu; President of the CGN, Engr. Habu Gumel, among others.
On the House side were the Minority Leader, Hon Kingsley Chinda; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi; Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon Kabiru Amadu, among several other lawmakers in attendance.
The Speaker said: “I want to use this opportunity to emphatically say that we in the National Assembly – both the House of Reps and the Senate – are very supportive of this bid. And I want to use the opportunity, on behalf of the Senate President (Senator Godwill Obot Akpabio, GCON) to say we are giving our commitment to ensuring that all necessary resources that are needed, we will provide them within the next two to three budgets, that will guarantee the success of this particular event.
“I will also give our commitment that all legal, legislative inputs that are required in ensuring that this programme goes smoothly, we are also going to equally guarantee to you that we will provide them within a record time.
“We are passionate about ensuring that within the next two to three years, we will be able to provide what we don’t have and improve what we have to meet the standards. We are giving you the commitment that you can take home; that Nigeria will be ready – fully ready – within the next two to three years.”
Speaker Abbas reaffirmed the Federal Government’s firm support for Abuja’s bid, as approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He echoed the already-issued government guarantees for security, customs, entry and exit permits, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, and waste management.
He also cited the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme’s Games Village and Abuja’s modern facilities designed to host 16 sports and five para-sports, ensuring inclusivity for elite athletes with disabilities.
The Speaker decried that Africa has never hosted the competition since almost 100 years of its existence. He noted that the Commonwealth Games, which were first held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930, will commemorate its 100th year in 2030.
He however stated that approving Nigeria’s bid for the 2030 edition and bringing the Common Games to Africa will not only commemorate the centenary anniversary of the sports competition but also show the spirit of fairness and inclusion among member-nations.
“I want to urge the Commonwealth Committee to passionately look at the advantages of allowing Nigeria, being the only African representative, to host the 2030 edition,” he said.
The Speaker expressed Nigeria’s honour at being one of the two finalist candidate cities for the centennial Commonwealth Games.
Speaker Abbas said: “In 100 years, no African country has ever hosted the Games, despite half of Africa’s nations being members of the Commonwealth, while Australia has hosted five times. Awarding the centennial Games to Abuja would be nothing short of a historic continental legacy, amplifying the Commonwealth Games Federation’s mission: ‘We Create the Games for Everyone.’”
The Speaker stressed Nigeria’s readiness to serve as a bridge between continents, cultures, and generations through sport.
“The Commonwealth Games have become a byword for equality and inclusivity. While Ahmedabad is a worthy contender, India has already hosted the Games—most recently in Delhi in 2010, making Africa’s first occasion both timely and significant.
“Abuja narrowly lost the bid to Glasgow for the 2014 Games, making this centenary celebration the perfect occasion to right that historic near-miss,” he added.
While highlighting the strategic and economic impact of hosting the Commonwealth Games in Nigeria, the Speaker said it would boost employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and spur infrastructural development in Abuja and Lagos, especially in football, table tennis, and beach volleyball.
Speaker Abbas added that it would promote tourism and cultural diplomacy to strengthen Nigeria’s international reputation, strengthen diplomatic ties within the Commonwealth, and inspire Nigerian youth to engage in sports, fostering discipline, unity, and national pride.
The Speaker emphasised Abuja’s top-tier facilities, lively culture, and established ability to host international events. He assured the delegation of Nigeria’s hospitality and organisational excellence, supported by dedicated volunteers, media operatives, and technical officials.
He also reiterated Lagos’ readiness to host certain events, “demonstrating Nigeria’s flexibility and resourcefulness.”
The Speaker stated: “Awarding the centennial Games to Abuja would be a landmark decision for the Commonwealth, a celebration of inclusion, diversity, and the shared values of unity and progress.”
Speaker Abbas, therefore, invited the Bid Committee to envision the centenary Commonwealth Games “against the backdrop of Africa’s largest democracy and its youthful, sports-loving population.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the NSC recalled that the House, in October 2024, passed a resolution to call on President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency to be declared on sports in Nigeria, with all stakeholders developing the sector to meet international standards and become a driver of the economy.
Dikko, who noted that Nigeria had international sports competitions and tournaments, said hosting the Commonwealth Games would drive development of the sector, create wealth and bring other economic benefits.
Also speaking, the DG of the NSC emphasised the importance of getting the support of the three arms of the government for the hosting rights bid. Olopade also stated that Nigeria has the resources and manpower to host any world-class event.
In his submission, DG of the NIS commended Speaker Abbas for his love and support for sports. Shaibu said: “I want to thank you, Mr Speaker, and the Senate President through you. You have magnanimously reordered sports budgeting.”
He added: “We are here and I know that Mr Speaker is a sportsman. His endorsement will go beyond this meeting. We need funds to achieve this and the only way we can get money is when we have the endorsement of the National Assembly. We don’t take this place for granted. If Nigeria must progress, this is where the endorsement comes from. The Speaker endorsing the bid for Nigeria to host, we are in for a good time.”
Leader of the Commonwealth Sports delegation, Hall Dareen Glenn Edward, said his team had inspected the MKO Abiola Stadium, formerly National Stadium Abuja, and the Abuja Velodrome while other sports facilities in the capital city would be visited.
He also noted that there are other factors to be considered, beyond sports facilities. He however expressed satisfaction with the assurances given by the various stakeholders.
