Remi Tinubu opens 20-nation African women's golf championship in Abuja
- The First Lady declared the 2026 All-Africa Challenge Trophy open at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.
- Twenty African countries are taking part in the championship, which runs until Saturday, 7 November.
- She backed a project to introduce 300 Nigerian girls to golf across the six geopolitical zones.
Nigeria First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, formally open the 2026 All-Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) for Abuja on Tuesday, as female golfers from 20 African countries dey take part in the five-day championship.
She do the ceremonial tee-off at the IBB International Golf and Country Club as Grand Patron of the event, joined by members of Team Nigeria, the local organising committee and young girls wey dey take part in a golf development programme.
The tournament, with theme "Uniting Africa Through the Greens", go end on Saturday, 7 November. Na the third time Nigeria dey host am, after 1996 and 2010.
Why e matter pass the trophy
For the opening, Mrs Tinubu back the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria's (LGAN) Girls in Golf Legacy Project, wey aim to introduce 300 girls to the sport across the country's six geopolitical zones.
She talk say the scheme go open doors for a new generation of female golfers. "As a mother and advocate for women and girls, I commend the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria for the Girls in Golf Legacy Project," she talk, adding say e go create opportunities for young girls nationwide.
The First Lady describe Nigeria's third turn as host as proof of the confidence wey African golfing bodies get in the country. She talk say the theme show how sport fit cross borders and cultures, and she urge the players to compete with discipline and sportsmanship.
She also invite visiting teams and officials to see Nigeria's landmarks and experience its hospitality while dem dey in the country.
The LGAN president, wey reports name as Dr Lami Ahmed and as Dr Lami Onayi, talk say the association bid for the event two years ago and say the size of the task look daunting at first. She talk say bringing the championship to Abuja na partly to show a different side of Nigeria to visitors.
AACT President Cecile Poncet talk say the competition pass winning, pointing to the friendships and experience e dey build among African women golfers. She note say the association go hold elections in 2026, a year she talk say go offer chance to review its progress and direction.
The ceremony also honour former AACT president Monika Ntege, wey recently die, with a moment of silence. Nigeria Golf Federation president Otunba Segun Runsewe also speak at the event, stressing golf's role in promoting unity and wider participation.
Wetin go happen next
The golfers go compete for the team title for the rest of the week, with the championship closing on Saturday. The girls wey take part in the opening ceremony na dem go likely be among the first beneficiaries of the development programme.
