- CIO Golf Classic has grown into one of Africa’s premier golf tournaments.
- Event draws top players through affiliation with Kenya’s Safari Tour.
- Organisers aim to rotate the championship across Nigeria’s major cities.
- Prize money to increase to N100 million or $75,000 in 2026 edition.
The CIO Golf Classic, sponsored by Chief Ikenna Okafor, is fast emerging as Nigeria’s leading golf tourism event. With plans to expand its reach across major cities and increase prize money, the championship aims to attract top professional golfers from Africa and beyond while promoting tourism and investment in Nigeria’s golf industry.
For over five years, the CIO Golf Classic has been one of Nigeria’s most prestigious golf tournaments, attracting top players from across Africa and internationally. Held annually in Port Harcourt, the event has earned recognition for its quality and affiliation with Kenya’s Safari Tour, giving it a competitive edge in drawing elite golfers to Nigeria.
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Initially started as a birthday celebration for Chief Ikenna Okafor, chairman of Keeves Global Leasing, the tournament now seeks to become a major tourism and sports development platform. The organisers are expanding its scope to make the CIO Classic a national championship rotated among Nigeria’s big cities.
Speaking in Lagos, Okafor said, “The goal is to position the CIO Classic as a national championship that not only showcases golf talent but also attracts tourists and promotes investment in Nigeria’s underdeveloped golf sector.”
He highlighted the potential for golf tourism in Nigeria, comparing it to successful examples in Western countries. “Golf courses are self-sustaining and profitable. A figure like Donald Trump has invested heavily in golf tourism and benefits greatly. Nigeria can achieve the same,” Okafor added.
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Plans are underway to raise the tournament’s prize money from N75 million to N100 million or $75,000 for the next edition in November 2026. Okafor explained, “Our aim is to make the CIO Classic even bigger. If the naira loses value, we will adjust the dollar equivalent to ensure players are fairly rewarded.”
The championship not only offers substantial prize money but also provides an avenue to boost tourism, encourage investments, and position Nigeria as a growing destination for professional sports and leisure.
