Lagos to Host 2027 Africa Beach Volleyball Championship as ANOCA Deepens Partnership with Nigeria
Oru Leonard
The National Sports Commission (NSC), has announced that Nigeria will host the 2027 Africa Beach Volleyball Championship in Lagos, in another major boost to the country’s growing profile as a destination for international sporting events.
According to a statement signed by the NSC’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr. Kehinde Ajayi, the hosting rights were awarded by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), further strengthening the strategic partnership between the continental sports body and Nigeria.
The development comes shortly after Nigeria secured the rights to host the second edition of the African School Games in 2027, reflecting increasing confidence in the country’s capacity to stage major continental competitions.
ANOCA President, Mustapha Berraf, announced the decision in Abuja, commending the reforms being implemented by the leadership of the National Sports Commission under Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade.
Berraf said Nigeria’s commitment to sports development and its proven record in successfully hosting international competitions informed ANOCA’s decision to award the championship to the country.
He recalled Nigeria’s successful hosting of the Confederation of African Athletics U-18/U-20 Championships in Abeokuta at short notice, describing it as evidence of the country’s capacity to organise world-class sporting events.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said securing the championship aligns with the Commission’s strategy of using sports as a catalyst for economic growth by attracting more international competitions to Nigeria.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, attributed the country’s recent hosting successes to the Federal Government’s support for sports development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Dr. Kehinde Ajayi also disclosed that discussions are at an advanced stage for Nigeria to host Africa’s Olympic qualification events ahead of the 2030 Olympic Games. The initiative, being explored by ANOCA and the African Union, is expected to enable African athletes to qualify for the Olympics within the continent, reducing the need to travel to Europe and other regions for qualification events.
