LAGOS – Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of the state government’s commitment to successfully hosting the 2026 CAF Awards scheduled for December 7, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday, October 18, 2026, when he received a CAF delegation led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, the organisation’s Head of Safety and Security and Project Lead for the CAF Awards and Ordinary General Assembly, at Lagos House, Marina.
The governor pledged the state’s support in critical areas, including security, logistics, branding and access to the event venue, as preparations intensify for one of African football’s most prestigious annual ceremonies.
In a statement following the meeting, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was committed to providing a memorable experience for football officials, players, administrators and other international visitors expected at the ceremony.
He also highlighted the opportunity to showcase Lagos’ cultural diversity, commercial strength, hospitality and capacity to host major international events.
The governor’s meeting with the CAF delegation comes as Nigeria steps up preparations to host two major events on the continental football calendar.
A 15-member CAF delegation is in Nigeria to inspect facilities and assess arrangements for the 2026 CAF Awards in Lagos and the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Abuja.
In Lagos, the inspection programme includes the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, as well as Eko Hotel & Suites and Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled for December 7 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Iganmu, Lagos, while the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly will take place in Abuja on November 21.
CAF D Coaching Course: Eguavoen Hails Ogun FA Chairman, Majekodunmi for Grassroots Development Drive
The Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen, has commended the Chairman of the Ogun State Football Association (Ogun FA), Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, for his commitment to grassroots coaching development and efforts to ensure that coaches in the state acquire the necessary professional qualifications.
Eguavoen gave the commendation penultimate week at the CAF D License Coaching Course for forty grassroots coaches held at Agro Terra Resort, Joga-Orile, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
According to the tactician, the coaching course aimed at raising coaching standards and strengthening the foundation of football development across the state.
The course, organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in collaboration with the Ogun State Football Association (OGSFA) and the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), Ogun State chapter, is designed to equip participants with essential theoretical knowledge and practical coaching skills required for CAF D Licence certification.
The former Super Eagles defender praised Alhaji Majekodunmi for prioritizing coaching certification, noting that his determination to develop grassroots coaches reflects a clear understanding of the importance of qualified personnel to the growth of football.
According to Eguavoen, while Nigeria has produced several good coaches over the years and continues to have talented coaching personnel, the evolving demands of the profession make structured training and certification increasingly important.
“We have had many good coaches over the years, and we still have a lot of good coaches today. There is no doubt about that. However, CAF is taking coaching to another level because the demands of the profession have evolved, and there are now several aspects of coaching that require specialized knowledge and training.”
Eguavoen explained that coaching certification provides a pathway for aspiring coaches to progress through the different levels of the profession, stressing that the appropriate qualifications are essential for those seeking to advance their careers.
The NFF technical director urged grassroots coaches to take full advantage of the opportunity, emphasizing that professional coaching now requires more than experience and a passion for the game.
He also reaffirmed the NFF’s commitment to initiatives that promote coaching development, noting that grassroots certification provides a crucial foundation for coaches aspiring to work at higher levels.
The CAF D Coaching Course is being facilitated by the Ogun State Football Association in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, under the leadership of Coach Victor Agbagu.
Declaring the programme open, Ogun State FA Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, urged participants to embrace the opportunity to improve their professional competence and contribute meaningfully to the growth of grassroots football.
Alhaji Majekodunmi stressed that the future of Nigerian football depended significantly on the quality of coaches working at the grassroots level, where young talents are first identified, nurtured and prepared for higher levels of competition.
“Grassroots football is the foundation upon which the future of our game is built. If we want to produce better players and achieve sustainable development, we must invest in the knowledge and capacity of our coaches. I urge all participants to take this course seriously, learn from the instructors and apply the knowledge acquired to improve the players entrusted to them,” he said.
He added that the Ogun State Football Association remained committed to supporting initiatives that would improve coaching standards and create a stronger structure for football development across the state.
The Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen, highlighted the need to bridge the gap in coaching education by making professional training more accessible to grassroots coaches.
“Coach education is fundamental to football development. We cannot expect to improve the quality of our players without also improving the quality of those who train them. Grassroots coaches need access to the right knowledge, modern coaching methods and professional certification to help them perform their roles more effectively.”
He urged participants to remain committed to continuous learning, explaining that the knowledge gained from the course should translate into better training methods, improved player development and higher standards across the game.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), Ogun State Chapter, Mr Victor Damilola Agbagu, commended the Ogun State Football Association for responding positively to coaches’ requests by facilitating access to coaching education programmes.
Coach Agbagu expressed satisfaction that two major coaching education milestones had been achieved within six months of his emergence as chairman of the association.
“In just six months of my being chairman, we requested an NIS course, and now we have a CAF course. I am glad that both have been achieved.”
The head of Coaching Education at the NFF, Dr Terry Oguaje, retired FIFA referee, Alhaji F.A. Yusuf, and Coach Fatai Akande are among the facilitators for the course.
Football enthusiast and philanthropist, Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, was represented at the event by Hon. Tunde Elegbede, while Alhaji Hakeem Okebunmi, a member of the Ogun State FA board representing Yewa South, also graced the occasion among others.Lagos
