Nigeria to host Ladies’ Golf Championship in 2026

Nigeria has won the bid to host the 2026 edition of the prestigious All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT).

The AACT, a biennial continental women’s golf championship, was first held in May 1992 in Zimbabwe. Nigeria previously hosted the event in 1996 at the Ikoyi Club 1938 and again in 2010 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.

This will mark the third time Nigeria hosts the championship. Additionally, Nigeria held the West and Central Africa Challenge Trophy for the first time in 2023 at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estates and Resort in Lagos.

Evelyn Oyome, President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, and leader of the Nigerian delegation to the 16th edition of the championship in Morocco, revealed to NAN that Nigeria triumphed over several competing countries to secure the 2026 hosting rights.

She said, “A total of 38 countries registered but 20 countries got the finals.

“Out of 20 countries that voted during the election for the next host of the tournament, Nigeria obtained the lion share of the votes.

“Nigeria had earlier hosted the West, Central Africa Challenge Trophy in October last year at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate and Resort in Lagos, showcasing its outstanding golfing facilities, with no fewer than 10 countries participating.

“So, hosting that championship successfully last year kind of gave us the edge amongst so many other countries who also bidded and winning was a huge victory for Nigeria.”

Oyome revealed that the Federal Capital Territory would be the host city for the AACT 2026 edition, with no fewer than 30 countries expected to participate in the championship.

“The FCT met all the criteria for a host city, and it will be a great opportunity to welcome the whole of Africa into the nation’s capital.

“The AACT is a great opportunity to promote Nigeria. It is indeed equivalent to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in football,” she said.