Organisers of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) Northern Zone Golf Championship say the ongoing tournament aims to inspire more northern women to embrace the game of golf and promote inclusivity across the region.

No fewer than 250 golfers from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have converged in Minna, Niger State, for the 2025 Northern Zonal Golf Open Championship. The 54-hole tournament will be played over three days at the Minna Cantonment Golf Club.

Speaking at a press briefing, LGAN 1st Vice President, Mrs. Lami Ahmed, said the championship was conceived to expand the reach of the game and increase the association’s exposure to diverse golf courses in northern Nigeria.

Ahmed said, “The inspiration to organise this prestigious championship here in Minna comes from our president, Evelyn Oyome, who has been preaching about the need for us to embrace inclusiveness and spread the good news of golf to women, to increase our membership.

“So, we decided that rather than just staying and enjoying ourselves at the capital, Abuja, it was important for us to share the good news up north.

“This is for women who do not believe that we can play this game, perhaps some of them have never seen a lady in a golf attire before, and that’s why we decided to go to Kano last year, and here we are in Minna.”

In her remarks, LGAN President, Mrs. Evelyn Oyome, commended the management of the Minna Cantonment Golf Club and the Cantonment Commandant for granting access to the facility.

She revealed that the event also serves as a platform to select top-performing ladies who will represent the northern zone at the LGAN National Championship in November in Abuja.

Oyome said, “Hosting this championship has proven that Minna is a promising golfing destination for women. We’ll be selecting the best players here to represent the North at the national championship, which will also mark the emergence of a new LGAN President, my 1st Vice President, Lami Ahmed.

“She has been well-groomed and is prepared to do much more than I have. I am proud of the legacy we are building.”

Oyome praised lady captains across clubs for their consistency in supporting LGAN events and also hinted that Nigeria is set to host 26 African countries at the All Africa Golf Challenge Trophy scheduled to hold next year at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, Abuja.

She appealed to the federal government through the National Sports Commission (NSC) to lend its full support for the successful hosting of the prestigious continental event.

On behalf of the Minna Cantonment, the Club Captain, Brig. Gen. H.M. Abubakar, welcomed the participants and expressed delight at the opportunity to host such a significant women’s golfing event.

“I speak as both the Captain of the Minna Cantonment Golf Club and representative of the Cantonment Commandant, who is unavoidably absent. We’re honoured to have you all here. A few weeks ago, we hosted the Golf and Tour Charity Association Tournament, and today, we’re pleased to host the ladies from across Nigeria,” he said.

The tournament officially teed off on Thursday, with players in the ladies’ handicap categories 0–28, 29–36, and veterans competing for honours. An all-white party was held in the evening to celebrate lady captains from the northern zone.

A high-powered LGAN delegation, including the President, 1st Vice President, zonal leaders, and lady captains, also paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Faruq Bahago (OON), Emir of Minna, to seek royal blessings and present ceremonial gifts.

The championship continues on Friday with Day 2 action, featuring ladies in the 0–28 handicap category and men’s 0–28 handicap category. Activities will culminate with a colourful cultural night.

The final round of play takes place on Saturday, with 45 ladies expected to make the cut and compete for top honours.

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