For over half a decade, the CIO Golf Classics has cemented its position as one of Nigeria's premier sporting events, attracting a diverse field of golfers from across Africa and the globe. Held annually in Port Harcourt, this year-end tournament has earned a formidable reputation, now ranked among the continent's elite competitions.
From Birthday Celebration to Tourism Powerhouse
The tournament's origins are uniquely personal. It began as a birthday celebration for Chief Ikenna Okafor, the Chairman of Keeves Global Leasing. What started as a modest kitty has blossomed into a grand vision. The organisers now have a much larger ambition: to transform the event into Nigeria's most significant tourism catalyst. Their goal is to entice the world's top professional golfers to compete for substantial prize money while experiencing the rich culture and offerings of Nigeria.
Speaking recently in Lagos, the sponsor, Chief Ikenna Okafor, outlined the strategic expansion of the championship. "The idea is to make the CIO Classics a truly national championship rotated across the big cities of the country and attracting tourists yearly to the country," he stated. This rotational model is designed to showcase different parts of Nigeria to an international audience.
Unlocking Nigeria's Golf Tourism Potential
Okafor was candid about the current state of the sport in the country, noting that Nigeria's golf is still underdeveloped. However, he emphasised the immense, untapped potential. "We are working to let people know the benefits in investing in golf. Many western countries make a lot of money from golf tourism and Nigeria can be part of that," he explained.
He pointed to global figures like Donald Trump as examples of successful golf-based business models. "He devotes his time to building golf courses and he makes money from it because golf courses are self-sustaining," Okafor added, highlighting the economic viability of such investments.
Bigger Purse and a Grander Vision for 2026
Backing this ambitious vision are concrete financial commitments. Okafor announced a significant increase in the tournament's prize money. The purse for the professional golfers will be raised from the N75 million competed for in the most recent edition to a substantial N100 million for the next tournament.
"We are happy that we had a successful tournament this year in Port Harcourt... but we are going to make it bigger next year with a purse of N100m or $75,000," he declared. The event is scheduled for November 2026. In a move that ensures the prize remains attractive internationally, Okafor confirmed that if the naira depreciates, the dollar equivalent of $75,000 will be paid, whichever sum is higher.
The tournament's growth is further bolstered by its official affiliation with the prestigious Kenya's Safari Tour. This partnership provides the leverage to draw some of Africa's finest players to the Garden City, Port Harcourt, enhancing the event's competitive stature and appeal.
