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Will Nigeria Become the First African Country Capable of Hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games?
Posted by Thandiubani on Mon 29th Sep, 2025 - tori.ng
In June 2024, Nigeria took a bold step by officially submitting a bid to host the centennial Commonwealth Games in 2030 in the nation’s capital, Abuja. If this initiative is supported, the global sporting calendar could see a unique event added: Africa could become the stage for this worldwide multi-sport forum for the first time. What are Nigeria’s chances of winning the bid, and why would such a decision become a symbol of a turning point for the entire continent?
Nigeria Submits a Bid—A Historic Opportunity for Africa
In early June, representatives of the Nigerian Olympic Committee sent the official bid documents to the Commonwealth Organizing Committee for the right to host the 2030 Games. As national officials emphasize, the choice of the capital, Abuja, was not accidental: this metropolis has the necessary infrastructure, a developed transport network, and experience in hosting major international events. This decision has already sparked a wave of discussion in the global sporting community, as no African country has ever hosted the Commonwealth Games before.
To understand the scale of the event, it is worth noting some key facts: the Commonwealth Games, first held in 1930 as the British Empire Games, now unite more than 70 countries and territories. At the most recent Games in Birmingham in 2022, nearly 5,000 athletes representing all corners of the Commonwealth gathered. The multi-sport format combines traditional sports such as athletics and swimming with national disciplines, and broadcasts attract audiences of hundreds of millions of viewers.
All this has significantly increased interest in this type of sport. This is evident not only in the growing number of spectators in the stands but also in the interest from bookmakers. To confirm this, we examined the offerings of several popular bookmakers: PinUp, Melbet, and 1win. After registering in the 1win iOS app, we saw a large number of bets on sports traditionally featured in the Commonwealth Games. And this interest continues to grow.
Competitors and the Selection Process: Who Else Is in the Running?
In the political and sporting arena, Nigeria will not be competing alone. Its biggest competitor is India, which has proposed the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat. According to the Commonwealth Sport press service, both countries submitted their bids within the established deadline, and the evaluation process began in the summer of 2024. It is expected that the key stages include a detailed review of the proposals by the Evaluation Commission, making recommendations to the Executive Board, and a final vote by the 74 member countries at the General Assembly in Glasgow in November this year.
The president of Commonwealth Sport, Dr. Donald Rukare, commenting on the event for Inside the Games, noted: “We are pleased to confirm that India and Nigeria have submitted vibrant and ambitious bids to host the centennial Games. This once again proves that the Commonwealth Games retain their significance and have great legacy potential.” These words make it clear: the competition is tough, and an important choice lies ahead.
The Significance of the 2030 Games
The centennial Games of 2030 take on special significance not only because of the symbolic date. Exactly one hundred years ago, in 1930, the first Games were held in Hamilton, Canada, bringing together athletes from countries of the British Empire. Over the past century, the tournament has undergone a complex transformation: from an imperial tool to a modern platform for cooperation and cultural exchange among Commonwealth countries.
Holding the centennial Games on the African continent takes on symbolic significance for the global sports movement. As BBC Sport analysts note, this could reflect a new stage in the development of partnerships among countries of the Global South and a step toward expanding the geographical scope of major international tournaments.
Historical Parallels: The Durban Experience and Lessons from the Past
Not all attempts to host the Commonwealth Games in Africa have been successful. In 2015, the city of Durban in South Africa was awarded the right to host the 2022 Games for the first time, but in 2017, the Commonwealth Organizing Committee withdrew this right due to financial difficulties and the inability to fulfill commitments. This incident cast doubt on the reliability of African bids but at the same time prompted a serious revision of selection criteria and support mechanisms.
According to Professor Adegoke Adebayo, a sports policy expert at the University of Lagos, the Durban experience served as a lesson for both organizers and local authorities: “Today’s requirements for infrastructure, financing, and project management are much stricter than ten years ago. If Nigeria takes all the lessons of the past into account, the country will have a real chance to change history.”
What Will Hosting the Games Bring to Nigeria and the Continent?
Many experts emphasize that the implementation of such a large-scale project could fundamentally change the face and development prospects of both Nigeria itself and the entire region. The main advantages of hosting the 2030 Games include:
- Significant expansion and modernization of sports infrastructure
- Increased investment in construction, transport, and tourism
- Enhancing the positive image of the country on the international stage
- Inspiration for the younger generation of athletes and the creation of new role models
However, serious challenges remain on the path to success. According to Reuters analysis, the main focus will be on stable financing, transparency of organizational processes, and the country’s ability to ensure the safety of athletes and guests. An important factor remains the political situation in the region, which directly affects the confidence of investors and partners.
Can Africa Become the New Arena of World Sports?
Today, as the decision on the host city for the 2030 Games is made against the backdrop of global changes in sports and politics, it is appropriate to ask: can Africa move from the category of a “promising newcomer” to become a regular host of the world’s largest tournaments? The examples of the Summer Olympics in China, Sochi, and Brazil show that such events change not only infrastructure but also the very perception of a country in the world.
The results of the vote will be announced in November 2024. It remains to be seen how events will unfold and to consider: will Nigeria be able to seize its historic opportunity to become the new center of the sporting world, inspiring all of Africa to new achievements?
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