MINISTER of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says Nigerian institutions are being crippled by leadership failure, not lack of resources.
Wike stated this when he hosted the leadership of the Ladies’ Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), led by its President, Mrs Lami Ahmed, in Abuja on Friday.
Reflecting on the recent intervention by the FCT Administration to rehabilitate the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Wike pointed to the club’s past decay as a microcosm of broader administrative challenges facing Nigeria.
Speaking on national leadership, public accountability and fiscal management, Wike said: “It is easy to criticise people who were elected or appointed to superintend over the affairs of the country.
“Government provided everything that was required in that place. They gave it out; it was run down. You see how difficult it is to run even a small place,” he said.
Addressing the delegation directly on LGAN’s decades-long operation without a permanent national office, the minister questioned why previous executives had failed to establish a base.
“For over three decades, what has the past leadership been doing for that period? No office, no place, nothing done,” he pointed out.
He urged LGAN to focus on sustainability, structured governance and long-term youth development rather than temporary ventures.
Reacting to the association’s request to serve as Chief Host of the All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) scheduled for November 2026 in Abuja, Wike declined, explaining that his political commitments and administrative duties left no room to fulfill the obligations effectively.
Highlighting scheduled stakeholders’ meetings in Gwagwalada, Kwali and Abaji, including preparations for a presidential visit to Port Harcourt, Wike argued that accepting the role ceremonially without proper oversight would lead to failure.
According to him, the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, remains the primary host for the event.
He added that officials from the FCTA, including the Minister of State or relevant mandate secretaries, would represent the administration in his stead.
Earlier, the LGAN president, who is also the Chairperson, AACT 2026 Local Organising Committee, described Wike as the “Pillar of Sports in Africa.
Ahmed appealed to the minister to support the association to successfully host the event.
She explained that the continental tournament, widely regarded as Africa’s premier women’s amateur golf championship, would feature golfers and official delegates from over 30 African nations.
She added that the event, themed: “Uniting Africa Through the Greens,” would hold from Nov. 2 to Nov 7 at IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.
According to Ahmed, hosting the championship presents an exceptional platform to position the nation’s capital on the global stage, boost sports tourism, attract investments and enhance Nigeria’s reputation as a destination for international sporting events.
“Our vision goes beyond hosting a successful championship. We seek to establish a sustainable legacy for women’s golf, junior sports development, tourism and investment in the FCT,” she said.
The LGAN president appealed to Wike to endorse the AACT 2026 and serve as the chief host, including performing the ceremonial tee-off at the Opening Ceremony on Nov. 3 and attending the Closing Presidential Banquet on Nov. 6.
Ahmed expressed confidence that with Wike’s backing, AACT Nigeria 2026 would deliver a memorable showcase of Nigerian hospitality, leadership and athletic excellence. (NAN)
