Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) President, Engr. Habu Gumel, has led country’s latest engagement with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) as preparations for the 2nd African School Games, Abuja 2027, received renewed continental backing in Japan.

At the Extraordinary Session of the ANOCA General Assembly in Nagoya, Gumel, who also serves as the Treasurer-General of ANOCA, introduced the Chairman of the Abuja 2027 Local Organising Committee (LOC), Lekan Abari, as the presentation of Nigeria’s progress to hosting a successful 2027 African School Games was delivered to the African National Olympic Committees and other stakeholders presnet at the ANOCA Extra Ordinary Congress 

Abari outlined preparations covering the hosting agreement, ANOCA’s initial inspection of facilities, venue rehabilitation and completion plans, approved sports and dates, funding, resource mobilisation and the operational readiness of the LOC.

The presentation also addressed key concerns surrounding the Games, including participant safety and security, the functionality of the LOC Secretariat, technical manuals and the proposed first Chef de Mission Meeting scheduled for January 12–20, 2027.

The Nigerian delegation assured ANOCA that preparations were progressing across the various operational areas and that the LOC would maintain close engagement with the continental body to meet all agreed requirements and timelines.

The presentation was well received by the Assembly, with delegates subsequently approaching the Nigerian delegation to commend the depth of the briefing and the progress demonstrated since Nigeria secured the hosting rights.

The engagement for Gumel and NOC represents another important step in strengthening Nigeria’s relationship with ANOCA and ensuring that Abuja 2027 remains aligned with the expectations of the African Olympic Movement.

Nigeria secured the hosting rights after a competitive bidding process, with Gumel previously describing the award as “a huge win for Nigeria and for the future of sports development on the continent.”

With the hosting rights secured, preparations advancing and ANOCA's renewed institutional backing, attention now shifts to Abuja as Gumel, the NOC, the LOC and other Nigerian stakeholders work towards translating the country’s commitments into a successful African School Games in 2027.

The National Olympic Committees of Africa,  was invited to the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, primarily as part of a growing Africa–Asia Olympic and sports-development partnership.

Nigeria did presentation on hosting the African School Games,  Ethiopia did presentation on hosting the 2027 African Youth Games, Equatorial Guinea did presentation on hosting the 2027 Beach Games, while Egypt did presentation on hosting the 2026 All.African Games