The League of African Ambassadors (LAA) has officially unveiled its continental vision and announced the maiden Nigerian edition of its Fundraising Golf Tournament, aimed at promoting African diplomacy, strategic partnerships, networking and resource mobilisation for development across the continent.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, President of the League, Ambassador Nwanne Ominyi, said the LAA is a continental professional body comprising serving and retired African ambassadors working together to strengthen African unity, peace, economic cooperation and sustainable development.
He explained that the League, launched on October 14, 2025 under the auspices of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), seeks to complement the work of African governments, the African Union and regional institutions by leveraging the experience, expertise and networks of African diplomats.
Ominyi said the League’s programmes include diplomatic dialogue, knowledge-sharing, mentorship, youth empowerment, promotion of intra-African relations and partnerships involving governments, the private sector, development institutions and civil society.
A major initiative of the organisation, he noted, is the LAA Fundraising Golf Programme, which combines sport with diplomacy, friendship, networking and fundraising to advance the League’s continental objectives.
The President disclosed that the inaugural Nigerian tournament will hold at the Ibom Golf & Country Club in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from August 29 to 30, 2026, while participants will arrive, register and attend a cocktail reception on August 28.
According to him, the Nigerian event is the first in a series of similar tournaments planned across 11 African countries, including Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Morocco and Egypt.
Also addressing journalists, Chairman of the Nigerian Organising Committee, Ambassador Ben Okoyen, described the tournament as more than a sporting competition, saying it is designed to serve as a platform for diplomacy, partnership, friendship and development.
He explained that golf provides an informal environment where serving and retired ambassadors, government officials, corporate executives, development partners and friends of Africa can interact, build relationships and foster cooperation beyond the conference room.
Okoyen said the Nigerian tournament is being organised under the auspices of Tukur Yusuf Buratai, adding that a 25-member organising committee was constituted to bring together diplomatic experience, public service, business leadership and golf administration.
He said the committee included Ambassador Folakemi Akinleye as Secretary, Ambassador John Usanga as Publicity Chairman and Ambassador Ali Magashi, Chairman of the Continental Golf Committee, alongside several distinguished diplomats and prominent figures from Nigeria’s golfing community.
According to him, only 150 golfers will participate in the two-day championship, with winners competing for attractive prizes, including return flight tickets to London, Barbados and Accra, Ghana.
The organisers further disclosed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members of the National Assembly, and the governors of Akwa Ibom and Imo states are expected to perform the ceremonial tee-off on August 29, while the Minister of Foreign Affairs will perform the putting-out ceremony on August 30 to formally conclude the tournament.
The League appealed to the media, diplomatic missions, corporate organisations, government institutions, development partners, golf associations and friends of Africa to support the initiative, expressing confidence that partnerships forged through the tournament would extend beyond the golf course and contribute to Africa’s development.
Reaffirming the League’s vision, Ambassador Ominyi said Africa’s future depends on stronger leadership, deeper continental solidarity and home-grown solutions backed by constructive international partnerships.
“Our message is simple: Africa’s future requires African leadership, African solidarity and African solutions, supported by constructive partnerships with the wider world,” he said.
