Nigeria approved to host LA28 African Olympic boxing qualifier

Nigeria has been approved to host the African Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where 14 direct quota places will be available. The event is scheduled for 2027 and will serve as Africa’s continental route to the Games.

The World Boxing Executive Board endorsed Nigeria’s hosting role at a meeting in Glasgow on July 30. The country was selected alongside the United States, China, the European Games in Istanbul and Samoa, which will stage the five continental qualification tournaments. Italy and Hungary will host the two remaining global qualifiers.

The African event will cover seven men’s and seven women’s Olympic weight categories. World Boxing’s format is expected to run over eight days and provide one direct Olympic place in each category. The qualification system approved for LA28 includes 248 boxing places, split evenly between male and female athletes, making the tournament an important stage for African contenders.

The wider qualification process begins at the 2027 World Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. Continental tournaments will follow before the two World Qualification Tournaments in Italy and Hungary complete the pathway to Los Angeles.

Abuja’s MKO Abiola National Stadium Velodrome has been proposed as the venue. Nigeria must still submit outstanding documents, including formal government backing, before the hosting agreement can be completed. The approval therefore establishes the country as the intended host, while final arrangements remain pending.

The decision adds to Nigeria’s recent involvement in continental boxing administration. The country hosted the inaugural African Boxing Congress and Boxing Gala Night in Lagos in December 2025, an event that brought representatives from more than 20 African federations together. The Nigeria Boxing Federation, led by President Wale Edun, has also identified athlete, coach and official development, national competitions and grassroots participation as key priorities.

NBF Vice President Omonlei Yakubu described the hosting approval as an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s boxing programme and show that it can stage major international events. Hosting will not guarantee Nigerian fighters Olympic places, but it will give them the chance to compete for qualification on home soil while placing the country’s boxers, coaches and officials in a continental spotlight.