By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria has been selected to host the 2026 edition of the prestigious All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT).
This was revealed by the President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), Evelyn Oyome, in Abuja.
Oyome, who led the Nigerian delegation to the championship’s 16th edition in Morocco, disclosed that Nigeria emerged as the winner among the 20 countries that participated in the bidding process.
The AACT is a biennial continental ladies’ golf championship in Africa, which had its inaugural edition in May 1992 in Zimbabwe.
Nigeria previously hosted the competition in 1996 at the Ikoyi Club 1938 and in 2010 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja. This will mark the third time Nigeria has hosted the championship.
Interestingly, the West and Central Africa Challenge Trophy—a regional version of the championship—was held for the first time in Nigeria at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estates and Resort, Lagos, in 2023.
According to Oyome, up to 30 countries are expected to participate in the 2026 championship.
“The FCT met all the criteria for a host city, and it will be a great opportunity to welcome the whole of Africa to the nation’s capital.
“The AACT is a great opportunity to promote Nigeria. It is indeed equivalent to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in football,” she said.
The 16th edition of the AACT, hosted by Morocco, was staged for the first time at the Golf de Tazegzout in Agadir from 28 to 30 November 2024.
The Moroccan national women’s team secured a brilliant victory, marking a significant milestone in the growth of Moroccan golf.
With the participation of 20 nations, including South Africa—winners of 14 of the 15 previous editions—the emblematic competition of African women’s golf saw Morocco shine.
Nigeria finished as the top-ranked nation in West Africa but ended 12th overall on the continent.
