By Adebola Isimijola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved Nigeria’s bid to host two major African football events — the 48th Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony.

The approval was announced during the ongoing Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi after a meeting between the President and CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

Among those present at the meeting were Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, President of the Nigeria Football Federation Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Special Adviser to the CAF President Amaju Melvin Pinnick, and CAF Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu.

The CAF General Assembly, scheduled for October, is expected to attract top football administrators and stakeholders from across the continent, including representatives from CAF’s 54 member associations and its six zonal unions.

The CAF Awards, regarded as one of Africa’s most prestigious football ceremonies, celebrates exceptional achievements by players, coaches, officials and teams, while drawing dignitaries and football enthusiasts from different parts of the world.

Nigeria’s successful bid to host the two events is seen as a major boost for the country’s standing in African football administration, while also creating opportunities for tourism, international exposure and economic activities linked to sports development.