If you have ever lived in Abuja or you have ever thought of living there, you may have heard of the place called Games Village. Before you have sky-high thoughts of football and stadium crowds, I should clarify, Games Village is not a place for sports anymore. This estate has undergone one of the greatest glow-ups in Nigerian history, and you are about to find out why it is the enclave everybody is silently yearning to inhabit.
Grab your zobo, put your feet up, and let’s take a short stroll through the quiet, leafy roads of Games Village Abuja, shall we?
A Brief History: The Old and The New
Let’s rewind to the year 2003 when Nigeria held the All-Africa Games in Abuja. Games Village was unashamedly created to impersonate an athlete’s village, and act as accommodation for athletes and honourable guests from all corners of the continent. It was fresh, modern, and had a myriad of fancy bits and pieces that were worthy of the international guests.
Rather than let the area go back into never-never land after the games, the government came up with a great idea, turning this into a neighbourhood.
Hence, Games Village 2.0 was born. Out went the short-term beds, and in came duplexes, apartment blocks, supermarkets, and some of the best-maintained roads in Abuja. It is like that athlete who coaches, and suddenly, they become a billion-dollar entrepreneur. You love to see it.
Where is the Games Village?
Games Village, aka Kaura District, happens to be situated in Abuja Phase 2. If Abuja were pizza, this place would sit somewhere around the delicious, golden crust area, far away from the hectic Central Business District, but close enough to be able to dip back into the centre when duty calls.
Here, you’re bordering Durumi to the north, Gudu to the northeast, Duboyi to the east, Galadimawa to the south, and Kukwaba just chilling across the street to the west.
You can get into the city center in around 15 minutes, thanks to a network of major roads like the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Expressway and Ring Road 2. The airport is only 25 minutes away on a good traffic day.
Living Experience
Let’s just start by saying it’s pretty easy. If Games Village were a person, it would be your effortlessly cool friend, always looks put together but never tries too hard. It is calm, green, well laid out with smooth paved roads, more affordable (by Abuja standards), and generally just easy.
There is no loud, bust nightlife here that leaves you with one shoe on your foot, wondering what happened. There are wide roads, great air quality, and a solid community sense. Seriously, imagine schools of kids riding bicycles, aunties walking briskly in their sneakers at 6 am, or young professionals starting their day with jogs while listening to music— suburban legends!
A Win-Win for All
One of the top reasons why people like living in Games Village is that the property options are great.
From apartments ranging from little one bedrooms to bigger flats with 3 bedrooms and duplexes. This is ideal for you if you value your quiet. Prices and rents vary, but the quality and investment value will always stay constant, especially now that there are so many new developments popping up. The infrastructure is also solid, and you will never be more than 25 minutes from anything important.
To top it all up, there is still a constant supply of office and commercial space. If you’re thinking about starting a bakery or a tech incubator, now would be a good time to stake your claim on a property here before prices do their natural thing. The Amenities? Perfecto!
We all love a neighborhood that knows what the brief is, and Games Village is doing this.
Superb Amenities
The Africa International College and the African University of Science & Technology are nearby, so no need for students to bus across three districts to get to school. There are clinics and pharmacies in and around the area, so you’re not caught off guard when your body starts acting a little funny.
When it comes to food, Chicken Republic is there solely to bless your taste buds with jollof and spicy wings. C-Palms Lounge is also located inside to officially/unofficially unwind after-hours.
For your shopping, explore the supermarkets, corner shops, boutiques, you name it. If you need a fresh loaf of bread or a birthday gift last minute, you’re covered. You also have access to a church and a mosque, both of which also reduce some commute distance for residents.
Security here is top-tier. Gated estate with 24 hr surveillance, its own security guards, and a community that actually checks on each other. It’s the type of place where neighbors still borrow sugar and return the bowl.
Lush Greenery
One of the province’s secrets about Games Village is how green it is. Abuja is generally quite well landscaped, but this neighborhood takes green to another level. Imagine trees lining the streets, small gardens in front of homes, and enough green space to give your lungs a break. It is not just a place to post pictures about; it is a healing space.
After a long day of rushing, can anything else beat coming home to the peace of fresh air, with the accompanying sounds of birds taking a snooze in your backyard?
The Residents
The Games Village demographic is pleasantly diverse.
You have civil servants who love being within spitting distance of ministries and parastatals. Also, young professionals who are looking for convenience and comfort, without Lagos prices, and families who enjoy the safety and the surrounding schools. Oh, let’s skip the retirees who are just enjoying nature and serenity.
It’s a melting pot, and somehow this works well.
Unraveling the Fun Part
Let’s be honest, nobody wants to feel like they live in a retirement home. That’s what Games Village might seem like, but thankfully, it knows how to mix tranquility with the party.
No, it is not Wuse 2 or Gwarinpa on a Friday evening, but you have lounges, cafes, and sporting centers to enjoy. Plus, you have the community spirit here, which means you will find out about events, parties, and pop-up markets going on fairly regularly. It is similar to living in a WhatsApp group, where people reply!
Close to Nigeria’s Number One Culinary School
I have to mention Red Dish Chronicles, the culinary school that has become a dream for food lovers. With one of its branches not too far from Games Village (18- 19 minutes’ drive). Prospective chefs and devoted foodies have opportunities to learn practical training in anything from continental to Nigerian gourmet. So, if you seek to monetise your jollof skills or you want to impress your in-laws with a Sunday feast, RDC is the place to be.
A Rare Gem
Honestly, there is not too much to complain about. If anything, demand is increasing, which will lead to property prices rising faster than the inspection fee. These property sales will be hot, so if Games Village is an option, now would be the time to put in an offer.
Also, like a lot of areas in Abuja, traffic can be an issue during peak hours-especially if you’re heading out in the early morning. But with good planning (and a couple of podcasts), it is manageable.
If you’re looking for a neighborhood that will provide you comfort, safety, accessibility, and actual peace, then yes, Games Village should be on your short list.
It has the backstory, the infrastructure, the access, and the ambiance. Are you raising a family, finally escaping the chaos, or just at the start of your career? There’s room for everyone at Games Village.
This is not just a place to live. This is a place to breathe, grow, invest, and thrive.
Location: Phase 2, Abuja, Southwest of Central Business District, Federal Capital Territory.
Price Range for Rent: From ₦1,500,000
