Nigeria’s 2027 African School Games hosting journey entered its next gear yesterday, with a collaborative meeting between the ANOCA African School Games Coordination Commission and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Games, led by its chairman, Lekan Abari.
 
The session, held at the ANOCA Secretariat in Abuja, marked the first major technical review since Nigeria was awarded the hosting rights in 2025.
  
Abari delivered a detailed 46-slide hosting overview that covered governance, venues, logistics and legacy plans. He outlined the structure of the LOC and its subcommittees, each tasked with specific aspects of the Games’ delivery.
  
The presentation mapped out key competition and non-competition venues across Abuja.
  
In the presentation, the Moshood Abiola National Stadium is designated as the main stadium for ceremonies, athletics and other sports events, while Transcorp Hilton Abuja will be utilised for accommodation of officials and stakeholders.
  
Abari said that the Jabi Lake is the proposed venue for canoeing events, while the Games Village and University of Abuja will serve as the athletes’ camp and accommodation.
   
He also announced the proposed dates for the Games as August 22 to September 4, 2027, while explaining that the 14-day window was selected after weighing factors including Nigeria’s political calendar, weather patterns, and the global school calendar to maximise athlete and spectator turnout.
  
ANOCA African School Games Coordination Commission Chairman, Joao Da Costa Manuel, said after reviewing the presentation: “I am satisfied with the level of preparation, which the Local Organising Committee is putting in place.”
  
He urged the LOC to maintain close monitoring of all preparations to ensure Abuja delivers successful Games that set the standard for future editions.
  
The African School Games is ANOCA’s flagship youth event, first held in Algeria in 2025 with over 30 African nations. Abuja 2027 will be the second edition and another chapter in Nigeria’s continuous success stories of hosting continental multi-sport Games.
 
Over 3,000 student-athletes aged between 14 and 16 are expected to feature across over 20 sports.
  
The ANOCA Coordination Commission will continue its working visit today with on-site inspections of the proposed venues.
 
The team will assess the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package A and B, Jabi Lake, accommodation facilities, and the University of Abuja campus.