Nigeria has stepped up its interest in hosting the 2030 World Athletics U20 Championships, with National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade holding talks with World Athletics officials in Budapest, Hungary.
The discussions, according to a statement issued on Saturday by Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media to the NSC Director General, took place on the sidelines of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship and centred on Nigeria’s ambition to bring one of World Athletics’ major global competitions to the country.
Olopade reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to provide the facilities, organisational standards, sporting atmosphere and hospitality required to stage the championship successfully.
The NSC said Nigeria’s growing investment in sports infrastructure, athlete development and event management has strengthened the country’s case for taking on greater responsibilities on the international sporting stage.
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According to the NSC, the country believes it can provide the facilities, organisation, hospitality and overall sporting environment required to successfully host the world’s leading junior athletes.
Nigeria’s interest comes as World Athletics approaches the final stages of the bidding process for the 2030 championship.
The final bid application deadline is October 23, 2026, with World Athletics scheduled to award the hosting rights for the 2028 and 2030 editions in December.
Nigeria can also point to its hosting of the 2025 CAA African U18 and U20 Championships in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as a recent test of its ability to organise a major international athletics competition.
The country stepped in at short notice after the championships, originally scheduled for Oran, Algeria, were moved to Nigeria.
The competition was held at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex from July 16 to 20, attracting athletes and officials from more than 40 African countries.
Forty-three countries had confirmed participation ahead of the championships, with 937 athletes and officials registered.
Olopade believes the successful staging of the continental event provides a foundation for Nigeria to pursue a competition on the global calendar.
The discussions in Budapest also form part of the NSC’s efforts to strengthen ties with international sporting federations and attract more major competitions to Nigeria.
Should Nigeria eventually secure the hosting rights, the 2030 World Athletics U20 Championships would bring some of the world’s best young track and field athletes to the country.
The World Athletics U20 Championships is the global governing body’s premier championship for athletes under the age of 20 and has helped launch the international careers of several athletes who later became Olympic and world champions.
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