By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
WELCOMING THE Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee to Abuja on Thursday, government officials set out Nigeria’s case to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with assurances that infrastructure, security and legacy plans will be delivered.
President Bola Tinubu was represented at the Presidential Villa by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who formally received the delegation led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at Commonwealth Sport.
Gbajabiamila headed a federal team of ministers and senior officials for talks with the evaluation committee.
“You’re very welcome to Nigeria. I hope you enjoy our great hospitality, which we are known for,” Gbajabiamila told the visiting officials.
He said Mr President had written a letter of guarantee in support of the bid and that the federal government’s full weight stood behind the proposal.
“What I can assure you is that we’re ready. We’re willing, we’re able, and we actually want this,” he added.
The statement accompanying the visit noted that Africa has not hosted the Games since they began in 1930 and said proponents view a successful Nigerian bid as a significant milestone for the continent.
The record of past bids was referenced: Nigeria made an unsuccessful bid for the 2014 Games, while Durban’s inability to stage the 2022 Games led to Birmingham hosting that edition.
Darren Hall thanked President Tinubu and the Nigerian delegation for their reception. “I have been most thrilled by the passion of the Nigerian people in all their endeavours, including sports,” he said.
Shehu Dikko, chairman of the National Sports Commission, made a case for Nigeria against competing bids, pointing out that the Commonwealth comprises 21 nations in Africa and stressing Nigeria’s standing in the region.
Habu Gumel, president of Commonwealth Sport Nigeria, told the committee the country was prepared to stage an environmentally sustainable Games.
Mainasara Illo, chairman of the bid committee, presented the technical proposal to the evaluators, outlining plans for venues, logistics and legacy projects.
He said Nigeria proposes staging 15 sports and intends to include football to increase global visibility and audience engagement.
Federal officials said the administration had taken structural steps to prioritise sport.
The statement said President Tinubu replaced the Ministry of Sports with a National Sports Commission as part of reforms to reposition sport as a strategic driver of national development.
Ministers who joined the Chief of Staff for the meeting included the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris; the Minister of Aviation, Festus Kayamo; the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa; and the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam. Their participation was cited as evidence of cross-government backing for the bid.
The delegation received assurances that infrastructural, security and hospitality requirements would be met ahead of schedule should the bid succeed.
Officials framed the proposal as more than an event, describing it as an opportunity to leave a sustainable legacy for youth development and national growth.
Nigeria and India are the two official bidders for the 2030 Games, with Abuja and Ahmedabad, Gujarat, proposed as host cities.
Following the evaluation process, the Commonwealth Games General Assembly will select the host city at a session scheduled for November 2025.
The bid team urged the evaluation committee to consider inclusivity and diversity as central criteria, stressing that staging the Games in Africa would align with the Commonwealth’s objectives as it approaches its centenary.
Delegation leader Darren Hall noted the Commonwealth now comprises 56 nations and said the union seeks greater diversity in its hosting choices.
Officials invited the evaluators to inspect proposed venues and to review the government guarantees that accompany the bid.
Mr Gbajabiamila and members of the bid committee reiterated that Nigeria stood ready to meet the logistical and financial commitments required to host the Games and that the nation’s cultural hospitality would feature throughout the evaluation period.
