More than 30 African countries are expected to converge on the Federal Capital Territory for the continental championship, scheduled for November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club.
The President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) and Chairperson of the AACT 2026 Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Lami Onayi Ahmed, said the country was fully prepared to deliver a successful championship and showcase its capacity to host major international sporting events.
According to Ahmed, preparations have moved beyond the planning stage, with the LOC now focused on executing the tournament’s operational requirements.
“A question people naturally ask when we talk to them is: Is Nigeria ready? Our answer is yes, absolutely. Nigeria is getting ready, and we are now firmly in the execution phase,” she said.
She said the LOC had established dedicated teams responsible for critical areas including security, transportation, accommodation, medical services, protocol, visa arrangements, competition management, accreditation, media, culture and sponsorship.
The breadth of the preparations reflects the scale of the championship, which is expected to bring players, officials, team representatives and other delegates from more than 30 African nations to Abuja.
Security takes priority
Ahmed said security remained a central priority for the organisers, with arrangements being coordinated with government institutions, the Federal Capital Territory Administration and relevant security agencies.
Security planning, she explained, covers key points of the tournament experience, including airports, hotels, transportation routes, the golf course and official venues.
“Our position is very clear on security: the safety of every player, official, delegate and visitor is non-negotiable,” she said.
The LOC is also working with corporate partners as part of efforts to ensure that logistics and other aspects of the tournament are delivered to international standards.
Ahmed said the event would provide Nigeria with an opportunity to demonstrate its hospitality and organisational capacity while promoting Abuja as a destination capable of hosting major continental sporting competitions.
More than golf
Beyond the competition itself, the organisers are positioning the AACT as a platform for broader engagement in sport, business and youth development.
Ahmed disclosed plans for a Business and Investment Summit to run alongside the championship, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to explore commercial and investment opportunities associated with women’s sport and the wider Nigerian economy.
The LOC is also planning a Girls in Golf initiative designed to introduce more young girls to the sport and encourage their long-term participation.
The programme is expected to complement the championship’s competitive objectives by using the presence of some of Africa’s leading women golfers to inspire a new generation of players.
Ahmed said the tournament would also promote friendship and interaction among participating countries, with Abuja serving as a continental meeting point for women in sport.
Nigerian Ladies Open follows AACT
The AACT will be followed immediately by the Nigerian Ladies Open Championship, scheduled for November 7 to 10, 2026.
Competitive play for the Nigerian Ladies Open is scheduled for November 8 to 10, with the prize presentation set for November 10.
The back-to-back tournaments are expected to create a sustained period of high-level women’s golf in Abuja and provide Nigerian players with the opportunity to compete against leading golfers from across the continent.
The sequence of events will also enable visiting teams and officials to extend their stay in Nigeria, potentially increasing the tournament’s tourism, hospitality and commercial impact.
For LGAN, the championship represents an important opportunity to raise the profile of women’s golf in Nigeria while contributing to the development of the sport across Africa.
Ahmed said the organisers were determined to ensure that visitors leave with a positive impression of Nigeria, both on and off the golf course.
“In November, Africa will come to Abuja. They will come to compete. They will come to build friendships. They will come to experience Nigeria,” Ahmed said.
With the final operational preparations now underway, attention is turning to ensuring that the November championship delivers not only competitive excellence but also a memorable experience for players, officials and visitors.
For Nigeria’s women golfers, the AACT will offer a chance to compete on home soil. For the country, it will be an opportunity to use sport to showcase its hospitality, culture and capacity to host Africa-wide events.