The Nigeria Open Golf Tournament is set to make a long-awaited return in November 2027, ending a 28-year absence from the national sporting calendar.

The Nigeria Golf Federation says the tournament will run from November 16 to 20, 2027, with more than 20 countries from Africa, Europe and beyond expected to participate.

NGF President Otunba Olusegun Runsewe said the federation has been laying the groundwork for what it hopes will be a new chapter for Nigerian golf, including improved digital platforms, insurance policies and the adoption of the World Handicap System.

The tournament, which was last held in 1999, was traditionally staged at Ikoyi Club in Lagos before its final editions moved to the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.

For the 2027 comeback, the NGF is in talks with Lakowe Golf Resort in Lagos as a possible host venue.

The event is planned as a 64-hole, four-day Pro-Am tournament, with world-ranking status and a link to the Amateur World Ranking. Between 150 and 200 golfers are expected to compete, with a competitive prize purse and opportunities for winners to progress towards international circuits.

Runsewe said the federation intentionally took time to prepare, stressing that the priority was to build the capacity to deliver a sustainable tournament rather than rush its return.

Youth development will also feature prominently, with the NGF planning coaching education programmes for golf professionals and academy coaches, incorporating modern technology into training.

With preparations already underway, the 2027 Nigeria Open promises to mark more than just the return of a historic tournament, it could signal a fresh push to place Nigerian golf on a stronger international footing.