There was acrimony and disappointment after Abuja's bid was comprehensively defeated by the Scottish city last November, including claims of racism after Africa was denied the opportunity to host the Commonwealth Games for the first time.

 

But at the CGF's annual assembly in Banjul, Gambia, Fennell said that the lessons they learned from that bid would stand them in good stead for another attempt for 2018.

 

The Jamaican said that Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua had told him that they would put forward the country's capital again after receiving advice from him.

 

Fennell said: ''Yar' Adua had sought my honest view of whether the country should still bid again.

 

"I told him that if Nigeria fails to bid again, all the gains of the 2014 bid would be lost.

"I was frank in telling him that the experiences that the country gained in the run up to the failed bid were vital in propelling a fresh bid for the 2018 Games.

 

"It was there and then that he re-assured me that Nigeria would bid again."

 

Durban in South Africa and an Australian city still to be chosen have also expressed an interest in bidding.

 

A decision is due in 2011.