Nigeria Eyes 2030 World Athletics U20 Championships

Nigeria is seeking to host the 2030 World Athletics U20 Championships as the country steps up efforts to attract major international sporting events.

Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, held discussions with World Athletics officials in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday on Nigeria’s interest in staging the championship.

Olopade said Nigeria was prepared to provide the facilities, organisation and hospitality required to deliver a successful global athletics event.

He pointed to the country’s recent experience hosting the 2025 CAA Africa U20/U18 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as evidence of its capacity to stage major competitions.

Nigeria stepped in at short notice to host the continental championships in July 2025, attracting delegations from more than 40 African countries and nearly 1,000 athletes, officials and other participants.

Olopade said the successful Abeokuta event provided a strong foundation for Nigeria’s ambition to host the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2030.

The engagement in Budapest forms part of the NSC’s efforts to strengthen ties with international sports governing bodies and position Nigeria to host more major global sporting events.