The 54-hole Nigeria Closed of the 2026 Lakowe Lakes Classic tees off today at the par-72 Lakowe Lakes Golf Club, with Nigeria’s leading professional golfers competing for a ₦30 million prize purse.
The Nigeria Closed serves as the opening phase of the tournament before the international leg takes place from October 2 to 4, when professionals from across Africa will converge on Lakowe Lakes.
More than 150 professional golfers from over 12 African countries are expected to participate across the two events. The international competition will feature a $50,000 prize purse, World Golf Ranking points and an additional incentive from CIG Motors, which has offered a brand-new electric car to the overall winner.
Golfers from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Ghana, Cameroon, Togo, Gambia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Zambia are expected to join the Nigerian contingent.
Former Nigeria number one Oche Odoh described the arrival of the Sunshine Development Tour events as an important development for professional golf in the country.
“This partnership is a major boost for professional golf in Nigeria. Our players are the biggest beneficiaries because they now have more opportunities to compete internationally, improve their games and earn ranking points without always travelling outside the country,” Odoh said.
The Nigeria Closed gives local professionals the chance to compete for substantial prize money while preparing for the tougher continental challenge that follows.
The international leg will also provide Nigerian golfers with an opportunity to measure their progress against some of Africa’s leading professionals on home soil.
With significant prize money, ranking points and the electric car incentive on offer, the Lakowe Lakes Classic is expected to provide a competitive platform for professionals while further raising the profile of golf in Nigeria.
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