NILDS DG, Sulaiman, Hails First Lady’s Golf Legacy Initiative, Says AACT 2026 Will Advance Women’s Empowerment, African Unity

The Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Professor Abubakar O. Sulaiman, has commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her commitment to women’s empowerment through golf, describing the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT 2026) as an important platform for promoting gender inclusion, sports diplomacy and African unity.

Professor Sulaiman made this commendation at the official opening ceremony of AACT 2026, held on Tuesday, November 3, at the IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja, where he reaffirmed NILDS’ strategic partnership with the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, LGAN towards the successful hosting of the continental championship.

Speaking with journalist after he participated in the symbolic tee-off to mark the commencement of the championship at the ceremony, Professor Sulaiman described the championship, themed “Uniting Africa Through the Greens,” as more than a sporting competition, noting that it represents a significant opportunity to advance sports diplomacy, economic development, gender inclusion and regional integration.

He observed that sports remain one of the most effective instruments for bringing people together across political, ethnic and linguistic boundaries, fostering a shared sense of identity, mutual respect, and continental solidarity.

The NILDS Director General particularly applauded the First Lady’s support for the Girls in Golf Legacy Project, an initiative of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria designed to introduce 300 young Nigerian girls to golf across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

The initiative, announced by Senator Tinubu at the opening ceremony, is expected to create opportunities for young girls to develop their talents and participate more actively in the sport. Professor Sulaiman described such interventions as important contributions to gender inclusion and the advancement of women in society.

He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting Nigeria’s hosting of the championship and acknowledged the First Lady’s partnership with LGAN in ensuring the success of the event.

Highlighting NILDS’ involvement, Professor Sulaiman explained that the Institute’s partnership with LGAN was anchored on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), through which NILDS leveraged its institutional networks, particularly its engagements with the leadership and relevant committees of the National Assembly, to strengthen the visibility and institutional support for the championship.

He stressed that the Institute’s participation was a deliberate extension of its mandate as the premier legislative research, training and policy advisory institution of the National Assembly, adding that sports governance and development deserve attention within broader national development policies.

According to him, NILDS was not merely supporting a sporting competition but contributing to the creation of an enabling environment for sports development, investment opportunities, and stronger continental relationships.

Professor Sulaiman further expressed enthusiasm about the Sports-to-Business Investment Pavilion, themed “Africa Trades in Abuja,” describing it as an innovative platform for connecting sports with enterprise development, investment facilitation and economic diplomacy.

He noted that initiatives of this nature demonstrate the economic potential of sports and the importance of building sustainable institutional and private-sector partnerships to position Africa competitively on the global stage.

The Director General also welcomed participating contingents from across Africa, assuring them of Nigeria’s hospitality and expressing confidence that the championship would leave a lasting impression on participants and visitors.

He commended the leadership of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, particularly its Local Organising Committee, for the vision and commitment demonstrated in bringing the continental championship to Nigeria. He equally acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the management of IBB Golf and Country Club, government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the military, paramilitary and corporate partners.

The 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy has brought together female golfers from 20 African countries, further reinforcing the role of sports in promoting friendship, cooperation, and a shared African identity. The competition, which marks Nigeria’s third hosting of the championship, is scheduled to run until Saturday, November 7, 2026.

Professor Sulaiman reaffirmed NILDS’ readiness to support initiatives that promote women’s participation, strengthen African cooperation, and enhance Nigeria’s international standing.