CAF Chooses Wole Soyinka Centre as Venue for 2026 Awards

The newly renamed Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos has been selected as the proposed venue for the 2026 CAF Awards as a Confederation of African Football inspection team begins assessing Nigeria's readiness to host two of African football's biggest events.

The CAF delegation arrived in Nigeria on Friday to inspect facilities earmarked for the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the annual CAF Awards.

The Lagos inspection will include the Wole Soyinka Centre, formerly the National Theatre, alongside the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Eko Hotel & Suites.

Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau said the visit was an important step in the country's bid to stage both events.

"This inspection is another milestone in our preparations.

"We are confident that Nigeria has the facilities, experience and hospitality to successfully host both the CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the CAF Awards," Gusau said.

The delegation began its assessment in Abuja, inspecting the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

It is also scheduled to visit the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, proposed for the CAF General Assembly, and the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, where delegates, CAF executives and guests would be accommodated.

The inspection team will be accompanied throughout the exercise by officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, including Director of Media and Communications Ademola Olajire, Director of Marketing Alizor Chuks, Head of Security Barnabas Joro, Chief Protocol Officer Emmanuel Ayanbunmi and Head of ICT Tasiu Riskuwa Shehu.

Nigeria has previously hosted the CAF Congress in 1980 and 2009 and is seeking the rights to stage the 48th edition alongside the prestigious CAF Awards ceremony.

The annual awards honour Africa's best footballers, coaches, clubs, national teams and administrators.

CAF's inspection report is expected to play a key role in confirming Nigeria as host, with officials expressing confidence that the country's infrastructure and organisational capacity meet the continental body's requirements.