The Play With Stephen autism awareness golf tournament will make its Nigerian debut as the purpose-driven initiative prepares for its landmark seventh edition.
The tournament will take place from August 21 to 23, 2026, at the Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Club in Lagos. It will bring golfers, sponsors, advocates and families together to promote autism awareness and community inclusion through sport.
After six editions outside Nigeria, the tournament’s arrival in Lagos represents both a major expansion and a meaningful homecoming.
The announcement was also featured by BusinessDay.
Six Editions of Golf with a Purpose
Play With Stephen has spent six editions transforming competitive golf into a platform for autism advocacy.
Each tournament has created opportunities for golfers and other participants to learn about autism, challenge misconceptions and support greater inclusion. As a result, the initiative has grown beyond a sporting event into a community built around awareness and purposeful action.
The seventh edition will continue this mission while introducing it to a Nigerian audience for the first time.
This expansion also reflects the tournament’s growing reach. More importantly, it creates an opportunity to strengthen local conversations about autism and encourage wider community participation.
A Homecoming for Play With Stephen
For Stephen Oluwatoyin Onaivi, Convener of Play With Stephen, bringing the tournament to Nigeria carries personal and organisational significance.
“Bringing the Play With Stephen Golf Tournament to Nigeria for the first time feels like a homecoming,” he explained.
The tournament’s autism-awareness mission is closely connected to his personal experience. Over the years, he has watched golf develop into an effective platform for changing how people understand and discuss autism.
Nigeria’s first edition will therefore build on the progress made during the previous tournaments. At the same time, it will create new opportunities for golfers and communities to contribute to the initiative.
What to Expect at the Tournament
The three-day event will combine competitive golf with activities designed to promote learning, interaction and advocacy.
Participants can expect:
- Competitive rounds of golf
- Community engagement activities
- Autism-awareness conversations
- Sessions highlighting the experiences of autistic people and their families
- Opportunities for golfers, sponsors and advocates to connect
- Discussions about inclusion and practical community support
These activities will ensure that the event remains focused on more than sporting performance. Although competition is an important part of the tournament, its wider purpose is to build understanding and encourage meaningful action.
Why an Autism Awareness Golf Tournament Matters
Sport can bring people together across different professions, backgrounds and communities. Therefore, it can also provide a strong platform for discussing social issues that may not receive enough public attention.
The Play With Stephen autism awareness golf tournament uses this connecting power to challenge harmful misconceptions and encourage greater understanding of autism.
Every golfer who participates can become part of the advocacy effort. Sponsors can also use their platforms and resources to support the message. In addition, families and advocates can share experiences that help others understand the importance of acceptance and inclusion.
Through this approach, the tournament turns participation in sport into an opportunity for learning and social impact.
Supported by Purpose-Driven Partners
The seventh edition has received support from several organisations that recognise the value of sport-led advocacy.
Supporting brands include EBA (Eni Brand Architect), Wheatbaker, Diageo, Pepsi, Lakowe Lakes and MTN, among others.
Their involvement strengthens the tournament’s ability to reach more people and create a well-organised experience. It also demonstrates how businesses can support social causes through partnerships that go beyond conventional sponsorship.
At EBA, we are proud to support an initiative that combines strategy, storytelling, sport and community impact. The tournament reflects our belief that meaningful campaigns should create visibility while also contributing to positive change.
Creating Impact Beyond the Tournament
Play With Stephen’s work continues beyond its annual golf tournament.
The initiative also organises programmes such as the Golf Tasting and Masterclass, which introduces more people to golf while creating additional opportunities for autism awareness and community engagement.
Together, these activities provide different entry points into the movement. Experienced golfers can participate in the tournament, while newcomers can learn about the sport through the masterclass. Advocates, businesses and community members can also contribute through partnerships and awareness campaigns.
This wider approach helps Play With Stephen sustain its message throughout the year.
Swinging for Awareness and Inclusion
The seventh Play With Stephen tournament represents an important stage in the initiative’s journey.
For the first time, the movement will bring its combination of golf, autism advocacy and community engagement to Nigeria. The Lagos edition will also provide a foundation for deeper local partnerships and broader participation.
Above all, the tournament will remind participants that sport can achieve more than entertainment. It can start conversations, challenge misconceptions and encourage people to support a more inclusive society.
Explore more of EBA’s purpose-driven campaigns and brand projects.
This August, Nigeria will not swing only for the game. It will swing for autism awareness, understanding and inclusion.
