Customs Assures Golf Association of Support for All Africa Challenge Trophy

The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, on Monday, 5 October 2026, received a delegation from the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), led by its President, Mrs Lami Ahmed, at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja, ahead of the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT).

The championship, scheduled for 2–7 November 2026 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, is expected to attract teams, officials, supporters and delegates from across Africa. The delegation sought NCS support to ensure seamless entry and exit for participants and accredited delegates, as well as the smooth movement of tournament equipment and the traditional championship trophy through the country’s points of entry.

Adeniyi, who received the delegation alongside members of the NCS management team, spoke on the significance of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of Nigeria, serving as Grand Patron of the championship and highlighted the contributions of women in key areas of the Service. He also recalled his experience hosting the African Women’s Volleyball Championship in Abuja, where the First Lady served as Grand Patron, noting her penchant for sports and the expectations that come with hosting major international sporting events.

The CGC stressed that Nigeria should use its opportunity to host the continental championship to showcase the country’s hospitality, urging LGAN to extend its advocacy beyond NCS to sister agencies involved in receiving visitors at the country’s entry points.

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“The advocacy should be national, not just Customs, to ensure that the experience they get with the NCS is the same as with other agencies and, ultimately, make it an experiential one for the people coming into the country,” Adeniyi said.

He assured the delegation that NCS would designate an officer to work with LGAN’s designated representative to facilitate the movement of tournament equipment and trophies and ensure a seamless experience for participating teams and delegates.

Earlier, Ahmed appreciated NCS for its role in protecting Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and protecting the country’s image at its various points of entry. She said the visit was to brief the Service on hosting the 2026 AACT, adding that the championship would provide an opportunity for sports diplomacy, tourism, and the projection of Nigeria as a welcoming destination.

“We are looking forward to welcoming teams, officials, supporters and delegates from across Africa, many of whom will be visiting Nigeria for the first time. We therefore seek the support of the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure a welcoming environment for their arrival and departure and to facilitate the movement of the traditional trophy and other tournament equipment,” Ahmed said. The meeting ended with an exchange of souvenirs and a group photograph.