First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been named Grand Patron of the All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) Nigeria 2026, the continent’s premier women’s amateur golf championship.
Tinubu was decorated with the honorary role by the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria during a visit to seek national support for the championship, scheduled to take place in Abuja from November 2 to 7, 2026.
The tournament will be hosted at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, with women golfers from about 30 countries expected to participate.
The First Lady commended the association for its proposed Girls in Golf Legacy Project, which seeks to mentor and nurture 300 girls in the sport.
Tinubu said the initiative could provide young girls with an opportunity to develop their talents and potentially become world champions.
She stressed that becoming a renowned golfer requires “discipline, commitment and dedication,” adding that these qualities could help build a formidable future for the beneficiaries.
The First Lady also congratulated the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria for securing the hosting rights of the continental championship.
She noted that hosting the tournament would have positive implications for Nigeria beyond sports, particularly in the areas of tourism and economic development.
Earlier, the President of the Court of Appeal and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Justice Monica Mensem, commended the First Lady for her efforts in supporting initiatives focused on girls and women.
Mensem also expressed support for the championship and the opportunity to host golfers from across Africa and other participating countries in Abuja.
The President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, Dr Lami Onayi Ahmed, appealed to the First Lady to formally endorse the tournament and participate in the opening ceremony.
Ahmed also requested that Tinubu perform the ceremonial tee-off to officially commence the championship.
Following the request, Ahmed and Mensem decorated the First Lady as Grand Patron of the AACT Nigeria 2026.
Tinubu subsequently marked the beginning of her new role with a symbolic tee-off using a golf practice kit in her office.
Nigeria secured the hosting rights for the championship after a competitive bid in Morocco.
The 2026 edition will mark the third time Nigeria is hosting the continental tournament and is expected to bring together women golfers from about 30 countries at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.
The championship is also expected to provide a platform for promoting women’s participation in golf while supporting the development of young talents through the proposed Girls in Golf Legacy Project.