Nigeria has received a major boost in its preparations to host the 2027 African School Games after the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) expressed satisfaction with the country’s level of readiness for the continental event.
The endorsement came on Tuesday during a strategic working session between the ANOCA African School Games Coordination Commission and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) at the ANOCA Secretariat in Abuja.
Chairman of the LOC, Mr. Lekan Abari, presented a comprehensive 46-slide blueprint detailing Nigeria’s plans for the Games, covering governance structures, competition venues, accommodation arrangements, logistics and legacy projects.
According to the presentation, the Moshood Abiola National Stadium will serve as the main venue for the opening and closing ceremonies, athletics and other sporting events, while Jabi Lake has been proposed for canoeing competitions. The Games Village and the University of Abuja will provide accommodation for athletes, while Transcorp Hilton Abuja will host officials and stakeholders.
Abari also announced the proposed dates for the Games, scheduled to hold from August 22 to September 4, 2027. He explained that the dates were selected after careful consideration of Nigeria’s political calendar, prevailing weather conditions and the international school calendar to ensure maximum participation and attendance.
Speaking after reviewing the presentation, Chairman of the ANOCA African School Games Coordination Commission, Joao Da Costa Manuel, commended the LOC for its efforts and expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations.
“I am satisfied and okay with the level of preparation the Local Organising Committee are putting in place,” Da Costa Manuel said.
He, however, urged the committee to sustain close monitoring of all aspects of the preparations to ensure Abuja delivers a successful tournament capable of setting new standards for future editions of the Games.
The African School Games, ANOCA’s flagship youth sporting event, was first staged in Algeria in 2025 and attracted participation from more than 30 African countries. Abuja 2027 will be the second edition of the Games and is expected to host over 3,000 student-athletes aged between 14 and 16 competing in more than 20 sports.
As part of its assessment process, the ANOCA Coordination Commission is scheduled to continue its visit with inspections of key facilities, including the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package A and B of the sports complex, Jabi Lake, accommodation facilities and the University of Abuja campus.
With ANOCA’s vote of confidence and ongoing facility inspections, Nigeria appears firmly on course to host what is expected to be Africa’s biggest school sports festival in 2027.
