CAF inspectors return to Nigeria for final check ahead of 2026 Awards and General Assembly

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will conduct a second and final inspection of Nigeria’s preparations for two major continental events, with a 15-member facilities team arriving in the country today to assess venues and supporting infrastructure in Lagos and Abuja.

The inspection comes ahead of the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21 and the 2026 CAF Awards on December 7, as Nigeria prepares to host key figures in African football.

The General Assembly will take place at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, while the CAF Awards, the continent’s biggest football awards ceremony, will be staged at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos.

CAF’s latest visit is expected to provide a final assessment of the facilities and arrangements before the events, with attention on the venues, accommodation, airport infrastructure and coordination between the relevant institutions.

CAF delegation to inspect venues in Lagos and Abuja

The 15-member delegation will be led by CAF Head of Safety and Security Dr Christian Emeruwa, who will oversee inspections and engagements with officials responsible for hosting the events.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the team will arrive in Lagos this afternoon before visiting the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Eko Hotel & Suites and Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The delegation will also meet officials of the Lagos State Government as part of efforts to assess the arrangements and ensure the facilities meet the requirements for hosting the CAF Awards.

The inspection programme will then extend to Abuja, where the team will revisit the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the venue for the General Assembly.

The delegation will also assess Transcorp Hilton Hotel and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, while paying courtesy visits to the chairman and director general of the National Sports Commission.

A six-member NFF team, led by Dr Ademola Olajire, will accompany the CAF officials throughout the inspections in both cities.

Final inspection follows initial visit in July

The latest exercise follows CAF’s first inspection tour, which took place from July 31 to August 4.

During that visit, CAF officials engaged executives of various institutions and agencies in Lagos and Abuja that will play roles in delivering the two events.

The discussions focused on establishing effective communication and reaching agreements that would support the organisation of the General Assembly and the awards ceremony.

Both sides agreed to maintain regular contact to promote mutual understanding and ensure the events are delivered seamlessly, with an emphasis on innovation and forward-looking arrangements.

The final inspection will provide another opportunity for CAF officials to engage their Nigerian counterparts, assess progress and determine whether the planned facilities and logistical arrangements are ready for the occasions.

Nigeria prepares for two major CAF events

The two events will place Nigeria at the centre of African football administration and celebration later this year.

The 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Abuja will bring together key figures in continental football governance, while the CAF Awards in Lagos will recognise outstanding performers and achievements across African football.

Successfully hosting both occasions will require coordination among football authorities, government agencies, venue operators, hospitality providers and airport officials.

The CAF delegation’s final assessment is therefore a significant step in Nigeria’s preparations, as organisers work towards meeting the requirements for both events.

With the November 21 General Assembly scheduled to precede the December 7 awards ceremony, the inspections will help determine the readiness of the facilities and the arrangements supporting Nigeria’s hosting responsibilities.