Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has pledged support for the successful hosting of the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), as well as the long-term development of women’s and junior golf in Nigeria.

Wike made the commitments when he received a delegation of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), led by its President, Dr Lami Onayi Ahmed, at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja.

Among the key outcomes of the meeting was the minister’s pledge to support the construction of a permanent office for LGAN and assist with the association’s request for facilities to promote junior golf development in the FCT.

He also agreed to a 50-50 cost-sharing arrangement with the association for the use of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre for the AACT 2026 closing banquet and prize presentation.

Regarding the championship, Wike assured the delegation of the FCT Administration’s support and acknowledged the efforts being made to prepare the IBB International Golf and Country Club for the continental competition.

He disclosed that the administration had intervened to address the deteriorating condition of the golf facility, with renovation and improvement works reaching approximately 35 per cent completion at the time of the meeting.

According to the minister, the government had engaged the company responsible for constructing the golf course to carry out the necessary improvements ahead of the tournament.

On LGAN’s request for land to establish its permanent office and support its golf development programmes, Wike expressed the administration’s willingness to consider the proposal. However, he stressed the need for clear development timelines and commitments to ensure that any allocated property would be put to productive use.

The commitments represent a boost to LGAN’s ambition to use the continental championship as a platform for strengthening women’s golf, expanding grassroots participation and creating sustainable opportunities for young golfers in the FCT and across Nigeria.

Earlier, LGAN President, Dr Lami Onayi Ahmed, said the championship would attract golfers and delegates from more than 30 African countries, providing Abuja with an opportunity to showcase its hospitality, sporting facilities and tourism potential.

She appealed for the minister’s endorsement and support for women’s and junior golf, emphasising that the association’s vision extends beyond hosting the tournament to building a sustainable pathway for future generations.

The 2026 edition will be Nigeria’s third time hosting the All Africa Challenge Trophy. The country previously staged the championship in 1996 at Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos, and in 2010 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

The tournament is scheduled to hold from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, under the theme, “Uniting Africa through the greens.”

With just one day remaining before the championship begins, the support pledged by the FCT Administration adds to the institutional backing for an event expected to bring together women golfers from across the continent while advancing the broader development of golf in Nigeria.