Nigeria Steps Up 2030 World Athletics U20 Hosting Bid
By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI
NIGERIA has intensified efforts to host the 2030 World Athletics U20 Championships following talks between National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade and World Athletics officials in Budapest, Hungary.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships. It focused on Nigeria’s interest in staging the global junior athletics event in 2030.
Olopade assured World Athletics that Nigeria has the facilities, organisational capacity and hospitality needed to host the championship.
He also highlighted the country’s growing investment in sports infrastructure, athlete development and event management.
Nigeria’s recent record in hosting major athletics competitions could strengthen its case.
In July 2025, the country stepped in at short notice to host the CAA Africa U20/U18 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The event attracted delegations from more than 40 African countries and nearly 1,000 athletes, officials and other participants.
The successful competition demonstrated Nigeria’s ability to deliver a major athletics event.
Olopade described the Abeokuta experience as an important foundation for the 2030 bid.
Meanwhile, the Budapest engagement forms part of the NSC’s wider effort to strengthen ties with international sports bodies and attract major global competitions to Nigeria.
A successful bid would expose young Nigerian athletes to world-class competition at home while further boosting athletics development across the country.
