The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) has announced plans to stage the Nigeria Open Golf Tournament from November 16 to 20, 2027, marking the return of the country's premier golf event after a two-decade absence. The tournament will be a 64-hole, four-day Pro-Am event with world ranking status and an Amateur World Ranking connection. This event is expected to bring together over 150 golfers from Nigeria and other countries.
The NGF President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, disclosed this in Abuja, while outlining plans to reposition golf and raise its standards in Nigeria. According to him, the rebranding included a new social media strategy, website, insurance policies, and a World Handicap System (WHS) index. The WHS initiative would ensure that golf clubs nationwide adopted a common system, describing it as part of the NGF's strategy to internationalise the sport.
The Nigeria Open was held between 1969 and 1999, largely at the Ikoyi Club in Lagos, before moving to the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, where it was last played. Runsewe said the federation had taken time to prepare for the tournament because it wanted to rebrand the NGF and establish systems capable of meeting international standards. The NGF is expecting more than 20 countries from Africa, Europe, and other continents to participate in the 2027 Nigeria Open.
The tournament will be hosted at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue, with Lakowe Golf Resort, Lagos, being considered as a possible host. The event is expected to feature between 150 and 200 golfers, with winners having opportunities to qualify for international circuits. A competitive prize purse will help attract more professionals to the event. The NGF has engaged consultancy and marketing firms to drive sponsorship, branding, and promotion of the tournament.
According to Runsewe, this is going to be a new beginning for golf in Nigeria, opening up a new chapter for golf in Nigeria and Africa. The successful marketing and branding companies will be announced within weeks. The federation deliberately delayed the tournament to build the capacity required for a sustainable event. The NGF is committed to youth development, addressing what Runsewe described as a longstanding gap between younger and older generations of golfers.
The NGF will be embarking on a coaching education programme for professionals and golf academy coaches. Golf coaching training is mandatory and increasingly technology-driven, stressing that Nigeria must keep pace with global developments. This programme aims to develop the skills of Nigerian golfers and prepare them for international competitions.
The return of the Nigeria Open Golf Tournament is a significant development for the sport in Nigeria. With its rebranding and new initiatives, the NGF is poised to take golf in Nigeria to the next level. The tournament's success will depend on the participation of golfers from Nigeria and other countries, as well as the support of sponsors and golf enthusiasts.
Key points
- The Nigeria Open Golf Tournament will return after 20 years, featuring a 64-hole, four-day Pro-Am event with world ranking status.
- The event aims to bring together over 150 golfers from Nigeria and other countries, with winners having opportunities to qualify for international circuits.
- The NGF has engaged consultancy and marketing firms to drive sponsorship, branding, and promotion of the tournament.
