By Peter Omopo
Nigeria has secured the hosting rights for the 2027 Africa Beach Volleyball Championship, in another major boost to the country’s growing profile as a destination for international sporting events.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) announced that the continental championship will be staged in Lagos, marking another milestone in Nigeria’s strategic partnership with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).
The development follows the recent award of the hosting rights for the second edition of the African School Games, which Nigeria is also scheduled to host in 2027.
Speaking in Abuja, ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf said the decision reflects the organisation’s confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to sports development and its proven capacity to successfully host major international competitions.
Berraf commended the ongoing reforms being implemented under the leadership of the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and the Commission’s Director General, Bukola Olopade, describing Nigeria as one of Africa’s emerging sporting powers.
He praised the Federal Government’s investments in sports and recalled Nigeria’s successful hosting of the CAA Africa U-18/U-20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta, noting that the country was able to organise the competition within three months after stepping in at short notice.
According to him, such achievements demonstrate Nigeria’s readiness and determination to drive sports development across the continent.
Reacting to the announcement, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko said hosting the Africa Beach Volleyball Championship aligns with the Commission’s vision of expanding Nigeria’s sports economy through the attraction of major international events.
He noted that bringing continental and global competitions to Nigeria would stimulate economic activities, promote tourism, and further strengthen the country’s sporting ecosystem.
Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, attributed the country’s recent successes in securing hosting rights to what he described as strong government support for sports under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Meanwhile, ANOCA and the African Union are reportedly holding advanced discussions on plans for Nigeria to host Africa’s qualification events for the 2030 Olympic Games.
If approved, the initiative is expected to enable African athletes to compete for Olympic qualification on the continent, reducing the need for countries to travel to Europe and other regions for qualifying competitions while strengthening Africa’s sports infrastructure and competitiveness.
