Nigeria’s top professional golfers are set to converge on Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate in Lagos for the 2026 Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic, with N30 million in prize money up for grabs in the domestic phase.
The two part championship will get underway with the Nigeria Closed from September 28 to 30, while the international phase is scheduled to take place from October 2 to 4.
The opening event, backed by Oando PLC, is expected to attract several of Nigeria’s leading professionals, including Sunday Olapade, Godwin Okoko, Andrew Odoh, Solomon Ideria, Francis Epe, Tajudeen Ajayi, Gift Willy, Kamalu Bako and Mohammed Muazu.
The Nigeria Closed will be played over 56 holes, with the N30 million purse expected to add extra intensity to the competition as the players return to the domestic circuit.
Female professionals and senior golfers are also expected to feature, with Bola Mustapha, Rachael Danjuma, Kingsley Oparaku, Stanley Omenuko, Liman Mohammad and Lateef Lasisi among those listed for the event.
Willy said the championship would give Nigerian professionals the chance to regain their competitive rhythm before the international stage of the Classic.
He described the return of a major tournament of this scale as an important opportunity for players to test themselves again, particularly on the demanding Lakowe Lakes course.
According to Willy, the venue has hosted major international events in the past, making it an ideal setting for players looking to sharpen their game before facing competitors from across Africa.
The international phase will feature professional golfers from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa. The tournament is listed on the Sunshine Development Tour and will offer a $50,000 prize purse alongside valuable World Golf Ranking points.
Lakowe Lakes Golf Course Manager, Femi Olagbenro, said considerable work had gone into preparing the facility for the two phases of the championship.
Olagbenro explained that the course’s playing surfaces and other sections of the facility had received extensive attention to meet the standard expected for a tournament of such importance.
He said the aim was not only to provide a demanding test for the players but also to showcase the quality of golfing facilities available at Lakowe Lakes.
Olagbenro further noted that the support of Oando, GAC Motors, ARM Investment Managers and ProvidusUnity Bank would help advance the tournament’s wider objective of creating more competitive opportunities for Nigerian professionals.
The championship is expected to provide local golfers with an opportunity to compete at a higher level, measure themselves against some of Africa’s finest players and gain greater recognition for their talent.
