The League of African Ambassadors (LAA), have announced plans to host the inaugural Nigerian edition of its Fundraising Golf Tournament, describing the initiative as a strategic platform to strengthen African diplomacy.
The announcement was contained in a statement by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, following a press briefing in Abuja. The tournament is scheduled to hold from August 29th – 30th, 2026.
Chairman of the Nigerian Organising Committee, Ambassador Ben Okoyen, in the statement said the tournament would take place at the Ibom Golf and Country Club in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Participants are expected to arrive on August 28 for registration and a cocktail reception.
The Ambassador explained that the LLA is a continental professional body, comprising serving and retired African ambassadors, bringing together current diplomatic engagement with decades of institutional experience.
“It is important to emphasise that the League of African Ambassadors is a continental professional body comprising both serving and retired African Ambassadors,” he said.
“Serving Ambassadors contribute current diplomatic perspectives, while retired Ambassadors bring institutional memory, experience and a broader understanding of Africa’s diplomatic journey.”
He disclosed that the Nigerian edition of the tournament is being organised under the auspices of Ambassador Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), a member of the League’s Board of Trustees for West Africa.
It is coordinated by a 25-member committee comprising diplomats, government officials, business leaders and golf professionals.
Ambassador Okoyen described the tournament as more than a sporting event, saying it would serve as a meeting point for diplomats, government representatives, corporate leaders, development partners and friends of Africa.
“The LAA Fundraising Golf Tournament is not merely a sporting event,” Okoyen highlighted. “It is one of the platforms through which serving and retired Ambassadors, diplomats, government representatives…”
“…Corporate leaders, development partners and friends of Africa can come together to build relationships and support programmes consistent with the League’s continental mission.”
President of the League of African Ambassadors, Ambassador Nwanne Ominyi, said the organisation was established to harness the collective experience, expertise and networks of African ambassadors in advancing the continent’s development agenda.
“The League of African Ambassadors is a continental professional body comprising both serving and retired African Ambassadors,” he stated.
“It brings together the experience of those currently engaged in diplomacy and the institutional knowledge and wisdom of those who have completed their formal diplomatic assignments.”
Ambassador Ominyi recalled that the League was launched on October 14th, 2025, under the auspices of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC).
“Our fundamental objective is to harness the collective experience, expertise, networks and institutional memory of African Ambassadors in support of African unity, peace, economic cooperation, sustainable development and a stronger African voice in international affairs,” he said.
He stressed that the League seeks to complement the efforts of national governments, the African Union and Regional Economic Communities through initiatives such as diplomatic dialogue, mentorship, youth empowerment, promotion of Africa-to-Africa relations and partnerships with governments, the private sector, development institutions and civil society.
Speaking on the League’s broader vision, Ambassador Ominyi noted that Africa possesses enormous human and natural resources that must be harnessed for the benefit of its people.
“Our message is simple: Africa’s future requires African leadership, African solidarity and African solutions, supported by constructive partnerships with the wider world,” he declared.
The organisers said only 150 golfers would participate in the two-day event, which will feature prizes including return flight tickets to London, Barbados and Accra.
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, members of the National Assembly, and the governors of Akwa Ibom and Imo states are expected to perform the ceremonial tee-off on August 29th.
While the Minister of Foreign Affairs is expected to perform the putting-out ceremony at the close of the tournament on August 30th.
The League also called on the media, diplomatic missions, corporate organisations, government institutions, development partners, golf associations and friends of Africa to support the initiative.
They expressed confidence that partnerships forged through the tournament would contribute to stronger African solidarity, diplomacy and sustainable development.
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