Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commended the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) for its initiative to introduce 300 girls to golf across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Tinubu said the Girls in Golf Legacy Project would create opportunities for young girls to participate in the sport and develop the next generation of female golfers.

She spoke at the opening of the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, where she urged participating golfers to uphold sportsmanship, integrity and African unity.

“As a mother and advocate for women and girls, I commend the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria for the Girls in Golf Legacy Project, which will introduce 300 young girls to golf across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria and open new opportunities for the next generation,” she said.

The First Lady commended LGAN President and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Lami Onai Ahmed, the association’s executive council and other organisers for their efforts in bringing the continental championship to Nigeria.

Tinubu noted that the championship’s theme, “Uniting Africa Through the Greens”, reflected golf’s ability to transcend national and cultural boundaries while promoting friendship, sisterhood and a shared African identity.

She urged the participating golfers to compete with passion and integrity, adding: “To our remarkable female golfers, you are an inspiration to women everywhere. Play with passion, compete with integrity and let sportsmanship guide every stroke.”

The First Lady also welcomed foreign delegates and participants, encouraging them to explore Nigeria’s landmarks, culture and hospitality during their stay.

She subsequently declared the championship open and performed the ceremonial tee-off.

Earlier, Ahmed said hosting the championship for the third time was both an honour and a responsibility for Nigeria.

She said the tournament provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships among African countries through golf, despite differences in nationalities, languages and cultures.

“Though we compete under different flags, we remain united as one African family,” she said.

Ahmed described the Girls in Golf Legacy Project as a major part of the association’s long-term commitment to growing the sport, saying it would expose 300 girls across the six geopolitical zones to the opportunities and values of golf.

She added that while the championship would produce winners, its lasting significance would lie in the friendships established, unity strengthened and young girls inspired.

“As we begin this historic championship, let us remember the trophies will find their winners, but the friendships we build, the unity we strengthen and the young girls we inspire will remain our greatest victory,” she said.

Nigeria is hosting the continental women’s golf championship for the third time, bringing together female golfers from across Africa to compete and promote the development of the sport. (Daily Trust)

PHOTO: First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, performs the ceremonial tee-off to officially open the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, yesterday.