The National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed commitment to uplifting stadia and other sporting infrastructures across the country.
The Chairman of NSC, Shehu Dikko who disclosed this on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, noted that the revamping will be achieved with the aid of a sustainable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and concession program.
Dikko recalled that he paid an unscheduled visit to the “iconic” National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, on Thursday, in furtherance to the ongoing effort by the Commission to concession the stadium to the private sector to rehabilitate, upgrade and turnaround the facility to a multi-purpose sporting, entertainment and commercial arena.
He wrote: “It’s quite sad, that an iconic national edifice of this nature was left unattended for decades to rot to this stage inspite of its rich history and indeed potential to be a huge sporting, entertainment and commercial hub in line to the best international practices.
“However, I must acknowledge the patriotic effort of Philanthropist, Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu (BABA IJEBU) whom a couple of years back, under the former Minister of Sports Chief Sunday Dare “adopt a facility” initiative, made a CSR contribution to revive the pitch, tracks and scoreboard of the stadium, which at least facilitated the continuation of training activities at the facility.
“We would be working to bring more support of this nature in the redevelopment and upgrading of sporting infrastructures across the country.”
The NSC boss stated that the Commission is now working in earnest to fastrack and conclude the concessioning of the stadium as well as source other serious investors to invest in the development of the massive land available within the facility.
This, he said, will help to achieve the desired objectives of creating a sports city within the complex.
“The NSC is very committed and confident that within the framework of the RHINSE (Renewed Hope for Nigeria’s Sports Economy) program and indeed the overall Renewed Hope Agenda of President @officialABAT, this iconic edifice and several of our national stadiums and other sporting infrastructures across the country will be brought to life through a sustainable PPP and concession program, inclusive of provision of appropriate incentives to the investors in line to the FGN Sports industry policy.
“To his end, Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan (Liberty Stadium) are currently also at various stages of this process of starting the turnaround, with the NSC working in conjunction with the State Governments to deliver the projects.
“Thankfully, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu is already under the control of Enugu State State Government and the State is billed to host the 2026 National Sports Festival as confirmed by NSC recently, and therefore present a perfect opportunity for the NSC and the State Government to work in the upgrade and revamping the stadium facility,” the Chairman stressed.
The sports administrator also revealed that the NSC has also proposed and concluded plans in the 2025 fiscal year for the full rehabilitation of the MKO Abiola Stadium (the National Stadium, Abuja) Main Bowl, and would be working with an international group to ensure its turnaround to a proper sports city in the long term by utilising the available land in the stadium.
He further said that plans are underway to intervene and engage with other states governments to ensure all available stadium infrastructures, whether state or federal owned, are put on top shape to advance sports development across the country.
