The Lakowe Lakes Classic African Golf tournament is set to attract leading professionals from across the continent as Nigeria prepares to host one of its most competitive editions yet at the Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Estate in Lagos.
Organised under the Sunshine Development Tour’s East Africa Swing, the championship will run in two phases beginning September 28, 2026, with the Nigeria Closed event for local professionals before shifting to an international contest from October 2 to 4, featuring elite players from across Africa.
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The tournament has received a significant boost from Oando Nigeria Plc, which has come on board as title sponsor, alongside partners including GAC Motors, ARM Investment Managers and ProvidusUnity Bank.
The sponsorship has elevated the prize structure and expanded the competitive scope of the event, strengthening its position within African professional golf.
Manager of Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Estate, Femi Olagbenro, described the partnership as a major step in advancing the long-term development of the sport in Nigeria.
“The Lakowe Lakes Classic continues to champion the development of professional golf in Nigeria,” Olagbenro said.
“Oando shares our vision of creating opportunities that allow our local stars to compete at a higher level, test themselves against Africa’s best and earn the recognition their talent deserves.”
The Lakowe Lakes Classic African Golf event will feature a N30 million prize pool for Nigerian professionals during the closed championship, followed by an international purse of $50,000 for visiting players competing for Sunshine Tour ranking points and regional prestige.
The international field is expected to include top golfers from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Uganda, Kenya and other African nations, reinforcing the tournament’s growing status as a key fixture on the continental golf calendar.
Nigeria’s leading professionals, including Olapade Sunday, Godwin Okoko, Andrew Odoh, Solomon Ideria, Francis Epe and Tajudeen Ajayi, are also expected to feature prominently.
Many of them have gained valuable exposure through the Sunshine Development Tour, which continues to serve as a pathway to international competition.
Olapade Sunday described the return of a ranking tournament on home soil as a significant development for Nigerian golf, noting its broader implications for visibility and performance standards.
“There is always something special about competing at home, but this is bigger than just playing in Nigeria,” Olapade said. “Events like this give our players the opportunity to compete internationally, earn ranking points and put Nigeria more firmly on the world golf map.”
Industry observers say the expanded format, stronger sponsorship backing and inclusion of world ranking incentives signal a turning point for professional golf development in Nigeria, particularly as local players gain more structured access to international competition.
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With heightened prize money, wider African participation and global ranking stakes, the Lakowe Lakes Classic African Golf tournament is positioning itself as a growing bridge between Nigeria’s domestic talent and the wider international golf ecosystem.
Maryam Idris is a reporter and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
