Nigeria has emerged as a strong candidate to host the 2034 Commonwealth Games after the National Sports Commission Chairman, Shehu Dikko, at the NSC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, hosted Commonwealth Sport leaders, including Director-General Bukola Olopade, Nigeria Olympic Committee President Habu Gumel, Commonwealth Sport President Donal Rukare and Director of Sport Darren Hall.
The visit followed talks in Glasgow in July during the 2026 Games. The Commonwealth team presented a detailed review of Nigeria’s failed 2030 bid, which will now serve as the foundation for a 2034 bid.
The Commonwealth Sport team that visited Abuja had plenty of praise for Nigeria’s bid. They pointed to strong backing from the Federal Government and an ambitious legacy plan for the Games. They also highlighted the existing venues in Abuja and Lagos, along with the stadium upgrades already underway across the country. Nigeria’s past experience hosting major events counted in its favour, as did its proposed co-hosting model and the wider reset of its sports system. The team also discussed Nigeria’s position as a Pan-African voice.
Nigeria’s bid is strong, but the Commonwealth team also pointed out a few areas that still need work. These include how venues line up with the Games’ requirements, the scheduling of events, budgets and the choice of optional sports. The team noted that Nigeria’s later submissions had already improved on its earlier proposal, which is a good sign for 2034.
There is also encouraging news from Glasgow. During the 2026 Games, Commonwealth sports ministers passed a resolution calling for the 2034 Games to be hosted in Africa, with Nigeria in pole position for consideration.
The Commonwealth Games, which began in 1930, has never been hosted in Africa. Nigeria has tried before. Abuja lost its first attempt, for the 2014 Games, to Glasgow. The 2030 bid also fell short, with Commonwealth Sport recommending Ahmedabad, India, as host of the centenary edition in November 2025.
Nigeria does have big-event experience. Abuja staged the 8th All-Africa Games in 2003, and that is the previous hosting experience the Commonwealth team pointed to.
In the just-concluded Commonwealth Games hosted in Glasgow, Team Nigeria finished first in Africa with 24 medals: 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze.
