Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is set to welcome no fewer than 30 African countries to Abuja for the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), with organisers putting the combined hosting budget for the prestigious women’s amateur golf championship and the Nigeria Ladies’ Open Championship at ₦547 million.

President of the Ladies’ Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for AACT Nigeria 2026, Dr Lami Onayi Ahmed, disclosed this on Tuesday at a world press briefing held at the TYB International Resort & Country Club, Abuja.

Ahmed said preparations for the November 2–7 championship had moved from the planning stage to full execution, describing the event as an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its capacity to host major international sporting competitions while promoting women’s golf, tourism and the country’s cultural heritage.

“The All Africa Challenge Trophy is the premier biennial women’s amateur team championship on the African continent,” Ahmed said, adding that the competition provides an important pathway for the development and international exposure of women and young female golfers.

The championship will take place at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, with three rounds of competition, cultural activities, delegates’ engagements, a prize presentation and closing banquet scheduled.

The AACT will be followed immediately by the Nigeria Ladies’ Open Championship from November 7–10, extending the international women’s golf programme in the Federal Capital Territory.

Africa Coming to Abuja

Organisers said several countries had confirmed their participation, while discussions with other national golf federations were ongoing.

Ahmed said teams, officials, delegates and supporters from across Africa were expected in Abuja for the championship.

“Africa is coming to Nigeria,” she said, stressing that the organisers were determined to ensure that every participating country feels welcome throughout its stay.

Each participating nation is expected to field three players and a captain, giving an official delegation of at least four people per country, apart from supporters and other guests.

Technical Director of the tournament, Julius Akinwumi Fadairo, said the three-round competition would be contested as a team event, with results counting towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

He explained that the AACT differs from conventional individual golf competitions because players compete for their respective countries.

“Players are playing for their country, not themselves. It is a competition amongst nations,” Fadairo said.

₦547m Covers Hosting, Not Prize Money

Fadairo clarified that the ₦547 million projection was not a prize purse but the estimated cost of hosting both the AACT and the Nigeria Ladies’ Open Championship.

He said the budget would cover accommodation, transportation, logistics and other operational requirements for participating delegations.

The Transcorp Hilton Abuja is expected to accommodate teams from the participating countries during the championship.

Fadairo also stressed that support for the tournament could come in both cash and services, with organisations and individuals able to contribute professional expertise and other forms of assistance to reduce the financial burden.

Ahmed, meanwhile, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s readiness to host the continental championship, saying the Local Organising Committee had established various teams to coordinate the different aspects of the event.

She said the committee was working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, security agencies, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to ensure a successful tournament.

“Nigeria has been entrusted with the responsibility of hosting Africa’s premier women’s amateur golf championship,” Ahmed said. “Our ambition is very simple: to deliver a world-class championship that Nigeria and Africa will be proud of.”

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