Exclusive: Nigeria Confident on Staging 2030 Commonwealth Games, says NSC Director General Bukola Olopade

Nigeria has formally submitted its bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which will mark the centenary edition of the event.

A high-powered Nigerian delegation arrived in London in September 2025 to present the country’s proposal, a move that, if successful, would bring the Games to Africa for the first time in history.

Nigeria and India in Race for Hosting Rights

Nigeria faces stiff competition from India, which has previously hosted the Games twice. The Nigerian National Sports Commission (NSC) has nominated Abuja as the proposed host city, while Ahmedabad has been put forward by India.

Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, expressed optimism that Nigeria has what it takes to stage a world-class Games.

“Abuja is a perfect city and one of the best in Africa,” Olopade told SportsBoom.com.

“The government has done amazingly well in terms of infrastructure, roads, hospitals, and hospitality. These are the things that make us confident about bidding for the Commonwealth Games, the second biggest sporting event in the world after the Olympics.”

A Second Attempt for Nigeria

This marks Nigeria’s second bid to host the Commonwealth Games. The country previously sought to stage the 2014 edition, but the Games were eventually awarded to Glasgow, Scotland, by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) at its General Assembly in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Olopade said Nigeria has learned valuable lessons from that experience.

“We don’t want to dwell on the disappointment of 2014. We’ve moved forward, corrected our mistakes, and presented a stronger bid this time,” he said.

“Nigeria is a beautiful country with talented people, and we believe the Commonwealth family will make the right decision.”

“Africa Deserves Its Turn”

The Games have been hosted on every continent except Africa, a fact Olopade believes strengthens Nigeria’s case.

“Africa deserves it for the first time, and we’re hopeful Nigeria will bring it home for the continent,” he said.

“From the 1973 All-Africa Games and FESTAC ’77 to the 1980 and 2000 Africa Cup of Nations, the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the 2009 U-17 World Cup, and the recent CAA U18/U20 Athletics Championships, Nigeria has consistently delivered successful international events.”

Economic and Developmental Impact

Hosting the Games is expected to cost between £700 million and £1 billion, sparking debate given Nigeria’s ongoing economic restructuring.

However, Olopade insists the benefits go far beyond prestige.

“Hosting this kind of event is not just about the feel-good factor,” he argued.

“It’s about wealth creation, capacity building, job creation, and opening the country for global business opportunities.”

The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event held every four years, featuring athletes from over 70 nations and territories that are part of the Commonwealth, many of which were formerly part of the British Empire.

If successful, Nigeria’s bid would mark a historic milestone, bringing the Games to African soil for the first time in its 100-year history.