By Eshioromeh Sebastian
The Federal Government has approved a sweeping overhaul of sports infrastructure across Nigeria, with four major stadiums in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, and Kaduna slated to receive modern facilities including Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology and anti-doping laboratories.
The approvals, announced by the National Sports Commission following its Tenders Board meeting, mark the first phase of a nationwide sports revival programme aimed at returning Nigerian facilities to international standards .
VAR, anti-doping lab head to Abuja
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja will serve as the flagship of the renovation drive. The facility is set to receive the country’s first dedicated anti-doping laboratory, alongside the installation of VAR technology—a long-standing demand of football stakeholders who have criticised controversial refereeing decisions in domestic competitions .
Beyond VAR and the anti-doping facility, the Abuja stadium will undergo extensive rehabilitation including:
· Replacement of the main pitch and tartan tracks
· Upgrades to dressing rooms, media centre, VIP and corporate suites
· Installation of international-standard floodlights and electronic advertising boards
· Construction of a High Performance Centre
· Conversion of the 200-bed athletes’ hostel into a hotel-style complex
· Rehabilitation of the swimming pool and construction of two new training pitches
· Modernised sports medical facilities
Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, described the initiative as a turning point for Nigerian sports development.
“These projects represent a bold step towards restoring Nigeria’s sporting glory and creating sustainable opportunities for future generations,” Dikko said, adding that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was deliberately positioning sports as a tool for youth empowerment and economic renewal .
Kaduna’s Ahmadu Bello Stadium gets capacity boost
In Kaduna, the Ahmadu Bello Stadium has already been handed over to the state government following presidential approval, with work advancing rapidly .
The stadium’s capacity is set to increase from 12,000 to 32,000, with the old structure already demolished to pave way for a new state-of-the-art facility. Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has pledged that the project will be completed within eight months, with work ongoing round the clock .
“We commend the Kaduna governor for aligning with the Federal Government’s vision by taking over and commencing redevelopment of the stadium. The governor has moved to the site and has started major works following presidential approval,” Dikko said .
Lagos, Ibadan facilities in line for upgrade
Discussions are also ongoing regarding facilities in Lagos, Bauchi, and Ibadan as the government targets at least one world-class sports facility in each of the six geopolitical zones .
The National Stadium in Lagos, which has long suffered neglect, will see renewed attention as part of the nationwide push. Redevelopment work is already ongoing at the Lagos facility, while the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan is also scheduled for upgrades .
However, concerns remain about Lagos’s over-dependence on the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Stadium, which is currently the only functional stadium for football teams in the state. The Teslim Balogun Stadium has been closed for upgrades for six years, while the Agege Township Stadium has been under renovation for five years—raising questions about project completion timelines .
Nationwide grassroots push
Beyond elite facilities, the Federal Government approved the construction of 20 mini sports centres in communities across the country, alongside sports centres in 15 tertiary institutions nationwide .
Direct support was also approved for states hosting the next three editions of the National Sports Festival. Enugu State, host of this year’s edition, will receive backing for the construction of an Olympic-size swimming pool, an upgraded indoor sports hall, and rehabilitated athletes’ hostels .
NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade said the intervention went beyond bricks and mortar.
“This is beyond infrastructure renewal; it is about building a complete sports ecosystem that supports talent discovery, athlete development, job creation and global competitiveness,” Olopade stated.
Dikko disclosed that President Tinubu has approved the establishment of a National Sports Infrastructure Development Bond to ensure sustainable funding for the redevelopment and long-term maintenance of facilities nationwide .
The bond is expected to mobilise funds for revamping and constructing world-class sports facilities across the country, addressing a historic challenge of maintaining government-owned infrastructure after initial investments.
However, some observers have raised questions about Nigeria’s ability to sustain the new technologies, particularly VAR, which requires stable electricity, trained officials, and ongoing maintenance to remain functional .
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium, which underwent major rehabilitation between 2020 and 2022 under the Ministry of Sports’ “Adopt-a-Pitch” initiative funded by businessman Aliko Dangote, is now set for another round of upgrades—highlighting the recurring cycle of renovations without sustained maintenance.
The government has projected that the sports infrastructure push will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, from construction workers to stadium managers, and eventually, hospitality staff once the athletes’ hostel conversion is complete.
The NSC described the first phase of investment as “unprecedented,” emphasising its intent to position sports as a catalyst for youth empowerment, economic growth, talent development, and national unity.
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