The bid by Nigeria to become the first African nation to host the Commonwealth Games has been put on hold after India was recommended as the preferred host for the 2030 centenary edition of the competition. The executive board of the Commonwealth Games confirmed its intent to recommend Ahmedabad, India, as the host city, effectively beating out Nigeria’s proposed host city, Abuja.
The recommendation will be presented to the full Commonwealth Sport membership for a final decision at the general assembly in Glasgow on November 26, 2025. India’s proposal was highlighted for emphasizing the country’s commitment to Commonwealth values and its proven capacity to host an event that reflects the scale and diversity of modern sport. The 2030 Games will notably mark the centenary of the inaugural event held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.
Despite the setback, the Commonwealth board offered encouraging words to Nigeria, describing its submission as “impressive and ambitious.” They pledged to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at supporting and accelerating Nigeria’s hosting ambitions for future Games, specifically mentioning consideration for the 2034 edition. The development comes after Nigeria previously lost a bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow, Scotland. President Bola Tinubu had previously expressed that hosting the Games was a “dream” for the country, intending to send a “powerful message” to the world.
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