Nigeria leads Africa’s push for 2034 Commonwealth Games

File: Stakeholders at the 12th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Glasgow

Nigeria is leading Africa’s renewed push to host the 2034 Commonwealth Games, with the National Sports Commission stepping up efforts to secure the hosting rights for the continent and position the country as a strong contender for the event, The PUNCH reports.

The NSC had submitted a strong bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which would have marked the centenary celebration of the event, but India eventually won the hosting rights.

Abuja’s loss means Africa’s long wait to host the Commonwealth Games continues, despite growing calls for the event to be staged on the continent for the first time in its history.

At the 12th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Glasgow, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko strongly advocated for Africa to be considered exclusively for the hosting of the 2034 Games.

The Nigerian delegation was subsequently invited to a strategic meeting with the Commonwealth Games Federation, where discussions focused on the process of awarding the 2034 hosting rights.

“The resolutions reached at the 12th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Glasgow are already yielding positive outcomes for Africa’s ambition to host the 2034 Commonwealth Games,” the NSC said in a statement on Sunday.

“Following the meeting, where NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko successfully advocated for Africa to be considered as host of the 2034 Games, the Nigerian delegation was invited to a strategic meeting with the Commonwealth Games Federation.

“The engagement focused on the pathways, timelines and requirements for the award of the hosting rights for the 2034 Commonwealth Games, after ministers resolved that the Games should be held in Africa.

“The development represents an important first step in translating the ministerial resolution into a structured process, with Nigeria now actively engaged in discussions on the continent’s hosting ambitions.”

Nigeria’s renewed ambition comes on the back of an impressive performance by Team Nigeria at the just-concluded 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The country competed in 10 sports with 72 athletes, winning 24 medals comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze to finish seventh on the medals table and emerge as the best-performing African nation at the Games.