By Peace Udugba
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has called on the Commonwealth to approve Nigeria’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in the spirit of fairness and inclusion.
Speaker Abbas declared the full support of the National Assembly for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in the country’s quest to host the prestigious sports event.
He further expressed the legislature’s commitment to making necessary budgetary provisions to support preparations for hosting the Games. According to him, the Nigerian Parliament is ready to ensure the country meets all hosting requirements within the next three years.
The Speaker gave this assurance when members of the Commonwealth Games Bid Evaluation Committee visited his office at the National Assembly on Thursday to seek legislative backing.
The delegation included representatives from the National Sports Commission (NSC), National Institute for Sports (NIS), Commonwealth Games Nigeria (CGN), and the Abuja 2030 Bid Committee.
On the House side, the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi; and Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu, were present, alongside several other lawmakers.
Speaker Abbas stated:
“I want to use this opportunity to emphatically say that we in the National Assembly – both the House of Representatives and the Senate – are very supportive of this bid. On behalf of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, I give our full commitment to ensuring that all necessary resources will be provided across the next two to three budget cycles to guarantee the success of this event.”
He continued:
“We also pledge to deliver all legislative backing and legal frameworks required to ensure the seamless execution of the Games, within record time.”
The Speaker emphasized the urgency and importance of preparedness:
“We are passionate about ensuring that within the next two to three years, we will provide what we currently lack and upgrade existing infrastructure to meet international standards. You have our word: Nigeria will be fully ready.”
Speaker Abbas also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s firm support for Abuja’s 2030 Commonwealth Games bid, as approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He reiterated that official guarantees covering security, immigration, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, and waste management have already been issued by the government.
He also cited the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme’s proposed Games Village and Abuja’s existing modern facilities capable of hosting 16 sports and five para-sports, ensuring inclusivity for elite athletes with disabilities.
The Speaker lamented that Africa has never hosted the Commonwealth Games in nearly 100 years of its existence. He noted that the Games, first held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930, will mark their centenary in 2030.
He stated that approving Nigeria’s bid to host the 2030 edition would not only commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Games but also demonstrate the Commonwealth’s commitment to fairness and inclusion among member nations.
“I want to urge the Commonwealth Committee to passionately consider the advantages of allowing Nigeria, the only African country in the race, to host the 2030 Games,” he said.
The Speaker expressed Nigeria’s honour at being one of the two finalist candidate cities for the historic centennial edition.
“In 100 years, no African country has ever hosted the Games, despite nearly half of African nations being members of the Commonwealth, while Australia has hosted five times,” Speaker Abbas noted. “Awarding the centenary Games to Abuja would be a landmark decision and a historic legacy for the continent, reflecting the Commonwealth Games Federation’s mission: ‘We Create the Games for Everyone.’”
He stressed Nigeria’s readiness to serve as a bridge between continents, cultures, and generations through sport.
“The Commonwealth Games have come to embody equality and inclusivity. While Ahmedabad is a worthy contender, India last hosted the Games in 2010. Africa’s first opportunity is long overdue—and this centennial edition provides the perfect moment,” he added.
He also recalled that Abuja narrowly lost the 2014 Games bid to Glasgow, describing the 2030 edition as a chance to correct that historic near-miss.
Speaker Abbas emphasized the strategic and economic benefits of hosting the Games in Nigeria, saying it would create jobs, boost entrepreneurship, and drive infrastructure development in Abuja and Lagos—particularly in sports like football, table tennis, and beach volleyball
He added that it would also enhance tourism, promote cultural diplomacy, improve Nigeria’s international image, strengthen ties within the Commonwealth, and inspire young Nigerians to engage in sports, fostering discipline, unity, and national pride.
The Speaker emphasised Abuja’s top-tier facilities, vibrant culture, and proven track record of hosting international events. He assured the delegation of Nigeria’s renowned hospitality and organisational competence, which will be supported by dedicated volunteers, media professionals, and technical officials.
He further highlighted Lagos’ readiness to co-host certain events, “demonstrating Nigeria’s flexibility and resourcefulness.”
The Speaker stated, “Awarding the centennial Games to Abuja would be a landmark decision for the Commonwealth—a celebration of inclusion, diversity, and the shared values of unity and progress.”
Speaker Abbas, therefore, invited the Bid Committee to envision the centenary Commonwealth Games “against the backdrop of Africa’s largest democracy and its youthful, sports-loving population.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) recalled that in October 2024, the House of Representatives passed a resolution urging President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the sports sector. He stressed the need for all stakeholders to collaborate in developing the sector to meet international standards and drive economic growth.
Dikko noted that Nigeria had hosted several international sports tournaments and said bringing the Commonwealth Games to the country would accelerate the sector’s development, create jobs, and unlock economic benefits.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the NSC, Mr. Bukola Olopade, emphasised the importance of support from all three arms of government for Nigeria’s bid. He expressed confidence in the country’s capacity to successfully host any world-class sporting event.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Prof. Olawale Shaibu, praised Speaker Abbas for his consistent support for sports development.
“I want to thank you, Mr Speaker, and the Senate President through you. You have magnanimously reordered the budgeting process for sports,” he said.
He added: “We know Mr Speaker is a sportsman. His endorsement goes beyond this meeting. We need funding to achieve this dream, and the endorsement of the National Assembly is key. With the Speaker backing Nigeria’s bid, we are confident of success.
Leader of the Commonwealth Games evaluation delegation, Hall Dareen Glenn Edward, revealed that his team had already inspected the MKO Abiola Stadium (formerly National Stadium, Abuja) and the Abuja Velodrome, with more facilities scheduled for inspection.
He stressed that while facilities are important, other factors—such as infrastructure, security, and local support—will also be considered. He, however, expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment and assurance provided by Nigerian stakeholders.
