The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), on Saturday, announced plans to stage the Nigeria Open Golf Tournament from November 16 to 20, 2027, marking the return of the country’s premier golf event after a two-decade absence.

Its said that the rebranding included a new social media strategy, website, insurance policies, and a World Handicap System (WHS) index.

NGF President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, disclosed this in Abuja, while outlining plans to reposition golf and raise its standards in Nigeria.

Runsewe said: “We are very happy to announce that we will be organising a befitting Nigeria Open Golf Tournament, the biggest golfing event in the country after two decades of absence.”

He recalled that the Nigerian Open was held between 1969 and 1999, largely at the Ikoyi Club in Lagos, before moving to the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, where it was last played.

Runsewe said the federation had taken time to prepare for the tournament because it wanted to rebrand the NGF and establish systems capable of meeting international standards.

According to him, the WHS initiative would ensure that golf clubs nationwide adopted a common system, describing it as part of the NGF’s strategy to internationalise the sport.

He said the federation expected more than 20 countries from Africa, Europe and other continents to participate in the 2027 Nigeria Open.

He added, “This is going to be a new beginning for golf in Nigeria. We are just opening up a new chapter for golf in Nigeria and Africa.”

Runsewe said the NGF was in talks with Lakowe Golf Resort, Lagos, as a possible host venue, with between 150 and 200 golfers expected to participate.

According to him, the tournament would be a 64-hole, four-day Pro-Am event with world ranking status and an Amateur World Ranking connection.

He said winners would have opportunities to qualify for international circuits, adding that a competitive prize purse would help attract more professionals.

He said NGF had engaged consultancy and marketing firms to drive sponsorship, branding and promotion of the tournament.

Runsewe said the successful marketing and branding companies would be announced within weeks.

He explained that the federation deliberately delayed the tournament to build the capacity required for a sustainable event.

Runsewe said the tournament would also prioritise youth development, addressing what he described as a longstanding gap between younger and older generations of golfers.

He added that NGF would be embarking on a coaching education programme for professionals and golf academy coaches.

He said golf coaching training was mandatory and increasingly technology-driven, stressing that Nigeria must keep pace with global developments.