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Nigeria Receives Official ANOCA Backing For 2027 African School Games Hosting Plan

"The high-level engagement, which took place on Tuesday at the ANOCA Secretariat in Abuja, brought together the continental body's African School Games Coordination Commission and the Local Organizing Committee chaired by Lekan Abari"

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By Samuel Akpan

Nigeria’s ambition to become the second African nation to host the continental School Games has received a major boost after ANOCA officials gave their seal of approval to the detailed preparations for the 2027 edition in Abuja.

The high-level engagement, which took place on Tuesday at the ANOCA Secretariat in Abuja, brought together the continental body’s African School Games Coordination Commission and the Local Organizing Committee chaired by Lekan Abari.

It was the first full technical review since Nigeria was awarded the rights in 2025.

Abari led the session with a comprehensive 46-slide presentation covering governance structures, venues, logistics, and legacy plans.
He also outlined the LOC’s composition and the specific roles of its subcommittees.

Persecondnews correspondent who covered the session reports that the proposed venues include the Moshood Abiola National Stadium for ceremonies, athletics and other competitions, the Transcorp Hilton Abuja for officials and stakeholders, Jabi Lake for canoeing, and the Games Village together with the University of Abuja for athletes’ accommodation and camp.

The LOC has recommended that the Games run from August 22 to  September 4, 2027.

 The 14-day window was chosen after careful consideration of weather patterns, the national political calendar and the global school calendar to maximise participation by athletes and spectators.

ANOCA African School Games Coordination Commission Chairman Joao Da Costa Manuel expressed satisfaction with the work done so far.

“I am satisfied and okay with the level of preparation the Local Organizing Committee are putting in place,” he said, urging the LOC to maintain close monitoring of all preparations so that Abuja delivers a successful edition that sets the standard for future Games.

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The African School Games is ANOCA’s flagship youth competition. Its first edition was held in Algeria in 2025 with more than 30 African nations taking part.

 The Abuja 2027 edition will be the second and is expected to feature over 3,000 student-athletes aged 14 to 16 competing in more than 20 sports.

A successful hosting would add to Nigeria’s record of staging major continental multi-sport events.

The ANOCA Commission will continue its working visit with on-site inspections on Wednesday, 9 June 2026.

The team will assess the Moshood Abiola National Stadium (Packages A and B), Jabi Lake, accommodation facilities and the University of Abuja campus.

The LOC has pledged to work relentlessly over the next 15 months to turn the approved plans into reality.

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