Nigeria has secured the hosting rights for the 2028 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Championships after defeating Tunisia in a vote at the continental federation’s annual general meeting in Tangier, Morocco.
Nigeria received 23 votes against Tunisia’s 15, out of 38 certified votes cast by delegates, giving the West African country the right to stage one of the continent’s major table tennis competitions.
The President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Adesoji Tayo, welcomed the decision and said the country would work towards delivering a successful tournament.
“We want to thank all the delegates for putting their trust in Nigeria to host a befitting tournament in 2028 as well as the African Para Championships in 2027,” Tayo said.
He added that Nigeria was prepared to use its experience in organising major table tennis competitions to provide a smooth experience for participating athletes and visitors.
“The city of Lagos will again witness the best of table tennis, and we assure all our visitors that Nigeria will be the place to be in 2028,” he said.
The hosting decision followed a contest between Nigeria and Tunisia, with delegates voting to determine which country would stage the championship.
Nigeria will also host the African Para Table Tennis Championships in 2027, giving the country two consecutive opportunities to stage major continental events in the sport.
The National Sports Commission described the latest hosting rights as an important development for Nigerian sports.
Its Director-General, Bukola Olopade, said the decision reflected confidence in the country’s ability to organise international competitions.
“Winning the hosting rights for the 2028 ITTF Table Tennis Championships and the 2027 Africa Para Table Tennis Championships is another major milestone for Nigerian sports,” Olopade said.
He linked the development to the Federal Government’s broader ambition of expanding Nigeria’s role in the international sports industry, including through hosting competitions and creating economic opportunities.
Nigeria last hosted the ITTF African Championships in 1992.
The 2028 tournament is expected to bring leading table tennis players from across Africa to Lagos, although detailed arrangements for the competition will be developed as preparations progress.
The hosting rights provide an opportunity for the country to showcase its organisational capacity, support the development of table tennis and attract visitors associated with the competition.
The success of the event will depend on effective planning, facilities, logistics and coordination among the relevant sports authorities.
