The Nigeria Open Golf Tournament is set to make a return in November 2027, 28 years after the last edition was held in 1999.
The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) said the tournament is scheduled for November 16 to 20, 2027, as part of efforts to reposition golf in Nigeria and raise the standard of the sport to international levels.
NGF President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday.
Runsewe said the federation had embarked on extensive preparations to ensure that the tournament’s return would meet international standards and provide a sustainable platform for the development of golf in the country.
He said “We are very happy to announce that we will be organising a befitting Nigerian Open Golf Tournament, the biggest golfing event in the country after two decades of absence.
The Nigerian Open was first organised in 1969 and continued until 1999, with most editions taking place at the Ikoyi Club in Lagos. The final three editions, from 1997 to 1999, were held at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.
According to Runsewe, preparations for the 2027 edition include the development of a new social media strategy and website, insurance arrangements and the adoption of the World Handicap System index.
He explained that the handicap system would establish a uniform framework for golf clubs across Nigeria and contribute to efforts to make the country’s golf system more compatible with international standards.
“This is going to be a new beginning for golf in Nigeria,” he said.
The NGF president said the tournament is expected to attract participants from more than 20 countries across Africa, Europe and other regions, with an estimated 150 to 200 golfers expected to take part.
He also disclosed that the federation was holding discussions with Lakowe Golf Resort in Lagos over its possible selection as the venue for the competition.
The planned tournament will feature 64 holes over four days in a Pro-Am format, with world ranking status and an Amateur World Ranking connection.
Runsewe said the tournament would also provide opportunities for successful players to gain access to international golf circuits, while a competitive prize purse would be introduced to attract professional golfers.
To strengthen the commercial side of the event, the federation has engaged consultancy and marketing firms to oversee sponsorship, branding and promotional activities. Runsewe said the firms selected for the assignment would be announced in the coming weeks.
He explained that the decision to delay the tournament’s return was deliberate, saying the federation wanted to first develop the capacity and structures needed to organise an event capable of being sustained over time.
Beyond the tournament itself, Runsewe said youth development would remain a key component of the federation’s plans for the growth of golf in Nigeria.
He also announced plans to introduce a coaching education programme for golf professionals and academy coaches, noting that technological advancement had significantly changed the way the sport is taught and developed.
He said, “Training in golf is more IT-based now as the world is advancing and we don’t want Nigeria to be left behind.”
