IBB golf club rehabilitation begins as NGF president expresses concerns

The rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club (IBBGCC), Abuja, has officially commenced, even as the president of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, expressed concern over the prolonged closure of the flagship club. It can be recalled that in June 2025, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, […]

The rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club (IBBGCC), Abuja, has officially commenced, even as the president of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, expressed concern over the prolonged closure of the flagship club.

It can be recalled that in June 2025, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ordered the closure of the club, which originally opened in 1991, to facilitate its planned renovation.

Speaking on the closures, Runsewe said, “I am not happy that the club has been shut down for this long. It is the biggest club in Nigeria and beyond and a reference club for others. The international community members miss playing at the club as most of them call me to express their inability to play. I welcome the renovation and the subsequent opening so that the livelihood of caddies, staff and other workers in the club can be returned.”

Justice Dongban-Mensem formally flagged off the rehabilitation, describing it as a historic milestone for golf development in Nigeria. She thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the intervention, emphasizing that the project is crucial to restoring the course to its former status as one of Africa’s most scenic and futuristic golf destinations.

The Chairperson highlighted the club’s International Golf Academy, which trains athletes who represent Nigeria globally, and noted the importance of upgrading the facility to international standards, particularly as Nigeria prepares to host the 2026 International Lady Golf Championship at IBBGCC.

She called on federal, state, and local governments, as well as corporate and private institutions, to support the project and advocated for the club’s designation as a National Monument. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, tasked with executing the upgrade, was commended for its longstanding relationship with the club and expected to deliver a world-class transformation.