ROAD TO ABUJA 2026 AACT- SERIES TWO

Nigeria ready to welcome Africa

Nigeria is ready to welcome Africa’s leading female amateur golfers to Abuja for the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), with preparations entering the crucial final phase ahead of the continental championship.
Nigeria will host the AACT from November 1–7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja, 16 years after staging the championship in 2010.

The Ladies’ Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), working with the Nigeria Golf Federation and other stakeholders, is determined to deliver a tournament that showcases Nigeria’s ability to host major international sporting events while providing visiting teams with a memorable experience.
In the first part of this two-series interview with Royal Golf, Dr. Lami Onayi Ahmed, FNIM, President of LGAN and Chairperson of the AACT Nigeria 2026 Local Organising Committee, discusses preparations and Nigeria’s readiness to welcome Africa.

Q: As hosts, how are preparations for the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy going so far?

A: Preparations are progressing very well, and we are now moving into the critical final phase of implementation.
Hosting the All-Africa Challenge Trophy is a major continental responsibility, and the Ladies’ Golf Association of Nigeria, working with the Nigeria Golf Federation and our various partners and stakeholders, is determined to deliver a tournament that Nigeria and Africa will be proud of.
Our Local Organising Committee has been working extensively on the technical aspects of the competition, accommodation, transportation, security, medical services, protocol, media, hospitality and other logistics.
Beyond the competition itself, our objective is to give our visitors a memorable Nigerian experience and showcase Abuja and Nigeria as destinations capable of successfully hosting major international sporting events.

Q: After hosting the tournament in 2010, is Nigeria fully ready to welcome African teams once again?

A: Absolutely. Nigeria is ready and excited to welcome Africa back.
Hosting the AACT again after 16 years is both an honour and an enormous responsibility. We have gained considerable experience since 2010, while women’s golf in Nigeria has continued to grow in organisation, participation and visibility.
The IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja provides an excellent championship setting, and we are putting the necessary structures in place to ensure that every participating delegation receives the highest level of hospitality.
We want every player, official and supporter arriving in Abuja to feel welcomed, safe and valued from the moment they arrive until their departure. Nigeria is ready to receive Africa with open arms.

Q: What message do you have for the visiting teams and golf fans ahead of the tournament?

A: Our message is very simple: welcome to Nigeria, and welcome to AACT Nigeria 2026.
To all the participating countries, players, officials and supporters, we are eagerly looking forward to receiving you in Abuja. Come prepared not only for excellent golf, but also for the warmth, hospitality, culture and friendship for which Nigerians are known.
The AACT is about competition, but it is also much more than competition. It is about African women coming together through sport, strengthening friendships across borders and inspiring the next generation of girls.
To golf fans, we encourage you to come out and support these outstanding African female golfers. You will witness some of the finest women’s amateur golf on the continent.

Q: What level of competition do you expect from the visiting teams?

A: We expect a very high level of competition. The AACT brings together some of the finest female amateur golfers from across Africa, and several countries have very strong women’s golf programmes.
There are no easy teams at this level. Countries such as South Africa and other leading golfing nations on the continent have consistently produced outstanding players, while several emerging nations are becoming increasingly competitive.
Nigeria respects every team coming to Abuja. We are expecting exciting golf and a championship where skill, consistency, mental strength and course management will be extremely important.
Ultimately, we want the best team to win, and we want the quality of golf displayed in Abuja to demonstrate just how far women’s golf in Africa has developed.

To Be Continued……