Lagos ready to host 2026 CAF awards as Sanwo-Olu pledges full support

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of the state government’s commitment to successfully hosting the 2026 CAF Awards scheduled for December 7.

Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday, October 18, 2026, when he received a CAF delegation led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, the organisation’s Head of Safety and Security and Project Lead for the CAF Awards and Ordinary General Assembly, at Lagos House, Marina.

The governor pledged the state’s support in critical areas, including security, logistics, branding and access to the event venue, as preparations intensify for one of African football’s most prestigious annual ceremonies.

In a statement following the meeting, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was committed to providing a memorable experience for football officials, players, administrators and other international visitors expected at the ceremony.

He also highlighted the opportunity to showcase Lagos’ cultural diversity, commercial strength, hospitality and capacity to host major international events.

The governor’s meeting with the CAF delegation comes as Nigeria steps up preparations to host two major events on the continental football calendar.

A 15-member CAF delegation is in Nigeria to inspect facilities and assess arrangements for the 2026 CAF Awards in Lagos and the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Abuja.

In Lagos, the inspection programme includes the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, as well as Eko Hotel & Suites and Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled for December 7 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Iganmu, Lagos, while the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly will take place in Abuja on November 21.

Emeruwa also called for the support of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) to facilitate publicity and branding across the state. He further requested that security operations be coordinated by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with CAF’s security team.

The 2026 edition will mark the return of the CAF Awards to Lagos more than a decade after the city last hosted the ceremony in January 2015.

The event is expected to attract prominent football personalities, including leading players, coaches, club representatives, national football federation officials and representatives of the world football governing body, FIFA.

The awards celebrate outstanding achievements in African football across various categories, including Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Club of the Year.

Nigeria has enjoyed considerable success at previous editions, with former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu winning the men’s African Player of the Year award in 1996 and 1999, while Victor Ikpeba claimed the honour in 1997.

More recently, Victor Osimhen won the Men’s Player of the Year award in 2023 before compatriot Ademola Lookman secured the prize in 2024.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons were also named Women’s National Team of the Year in 2024, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. Nnadozie retained the honour at the 2025 ceremony in Morocco.

For Lagos, hosting the 2026 CAF Awards represents an opportunity to strengthen its reputation as a destination for major sporting and cultural events while placing Nigeria at the centre of continental football celebrations.

With the December 7 date approaching, attention will remain on preparations by CAF, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the Lagos State Government to ensure a successful ceremony.