The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is sending a 15-member delegation to Nigeria for a final inspection of facilities earmarked to host two major continental football events, as the country prepares to welcome football administrators and leading figures from across Africa.
The delegation is scheduled to inspect facilities in Lagos and Abuja ahead of the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the 2026 CAF Awards, which Nigeria is preparing to host in November and December, respectively.
According to information released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the delegation will be led by CAF’s Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa. The officials are expected to arrive in Lagos on Friday, October 16, before continuing their inspection programme in the commercial capital and the Federal Capital Territory.
The visit represents the second and final inspection of the proposed facilities after an initial assessment conducted between July 31 and August 4. During the earlier visit, CAF officials met representatives of relevant institutions and government agencies to discuss arrangements, coordination and the responsibilities required to deliver successful events.
The latest inspection is expected to provide an opportunity for CAF to assess the progress made since the initial visit and determine whether the proposed venues and supporting facilities are adequately prepared for the two high-profile gatherings.
The 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. The meeting will bring together representatives of African football associations and other officials responsible for the administration and development of football across the continent.
The CAF General Assembly is an important event on the organisation’s annual calendar, providing a platform for member associations and football administrators to discuss matters concerning the governance, growth and future direction of African football.
Nigeria’s selection to host the gathering places the country in the spotlight as it seeks to demonstrate its capacity to organise major international sporting events and accommodate senior officials from across the continent.
The second event, the 2026 CAF Awards, is scheduled for Monday, December 7, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos, formerly known as the National Theatre.
The awards ceremony is one of African football’s most prominent annual occasions, celebrating outstanding performances by players, coaches, teams and other contributors to the game. It attracts considerable attention from football supporters, sporting organisations and media outlets across Africa.
For the Lagos leg of the inspection, the CAF delegation is expected to assess the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Eko Hotel and Suites, and Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The officials will also hold discussions with representatives of the Lagos State Government.
These locations will play important roles in the organisation of the awards ceremony, including the main event, accommodation and the movement of international guests arriving in Nigeria.
The inspection will then continue in Abuja, where the delegation will visit the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Transcorp Hilton Hotel and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The team is also scheduled to pay courtesy visits to the chairman and director-general of the National Sports Commission as part of its engagements with Nigerian sports authorities.
The involvement of the National Sports Commission and other government institutions highlights the importance of coordination between sports administrators, public authorities and private-sector service providers in organising events of this scale.
The NFF will support the inspection programme through a six-member delegation led by its Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire. The Nigerian officials are expected to accompany the CAF representatives during their visits to the proposed venues in both cities.
The inspections will focus on the facilities and logistical arrangements needed to accommodate the events, including venue readiness, transportation, accommodation, security and coordination among the organisations involved.
Nigeria’s preparations will be closely watched as the country seeks to ensure that the General Assembly and awards ceremony proceed smoothly. Successfully hosting the events would offer an opportunity to showcase the country’s hospitality, infrastructure and organisational capabilities to the wider African football community.
However, the inspection itself should not be interpreted as automatic confirmation that every arrangement has received final approval. The purpose of the visit is to assess the proposed facilities and engage with the relevant authorities before the scheduled events.
With the General Assembly approaching in November and the CAF Awards following in December, the latest visit marks an important stage in Nigeria’s preparations.
The outcome of the inspection and the readiness of the selected venues will be significant to the successful delivery of both events, which are expected to bring prominent figures in African football to Abuja and Lagos.
As preparations continue, Nigerian football authorities will be looking to demonstrate that the country can provide the facilities, coordination and logistical support required to host two important occasions on CAF’s calendar.
