Shehu Dikko, the head of the National Sports Commission (NSC), has announced that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja will be operational by the end of 2025 as part of wider efforts to restore Nigeria’s deteriorating sports infrastructure.
In response to a recent viral video that exposed the state of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, Dikko made this known on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
The video, which has been widely shared on social media, depicts decaying tartan tracks, crumbling stands, overgrown vegetation, and defunct lighting systems—signs of ongoing neglect at a stadium that once housed famous sporting events like the 1980 and 2000 African Cup of Nations finals and the 1973 All-Africa Games. The Lagos stadium has been inaccessible for a while despite its historical significance, which has rekindled public outrage and renewed calls for immediate action.
However, Dikko stated that the current administration is implementing unprecedented measures to address the country’s sports sector’s infrastructure decay. He disclosed that the Abuja stadium, one of the first to undergo significant transformation, has already received funding for renovations.
I visited London a few months ago to meet with the best stadium infrastructure companies. Last month, they were in Abuja. By the end of the year, we should be able to start fixing Abuja, and the stadium should be operating at a foundational level, said Dikko.
He continued, “The budget of the National Sports Commission has increased by more than 30%. In the last 60 years, this is the best sports budget. Funding is available to repair and build mini-sports facilities in local communities all over the country.
The first step was made by the president (Bola Tinubu). According to Dikko, the funding for sports is not intended for competitions; instead, it is clearly targeted at crucial infrastructures, “Dikko stated.
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He continued, adding that the Commission is also collaborating with international partners to ensure the stadium upgrades meet international standards while granting concessions to some significant facilities.
Dikko also revealed plans to construct full-fledged sports cities around important locations like Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and Ibadan.
We are creating entire ecosystems around the stadiums with shopping malls, hotels, convention centers, amusement parks, and arenas, he said, “to make sure these facilities can generate revenue 24/7, not just when a match is played.”
utilizing domestic sports
Dikko criticized Nigeria’s narrow focus on international competitions while ignoring local development, bringing up the structural issues that plague Nigerian sports.
The English Premier League was cited as a model for revenue and the potential economic benefit it could provide, according to the chair of the sports commission.
The focus on competitions is the main issue with sports in this country, according to the president. Nobody is asking what we’re doing on the domestic scene, the NSC chief said, but everyone is thinking about the Olympics or the World Cup.
The domestic industry serves as the foundation “all over the world.” We must create a climate that supports the sport of our homes.
England hasn’t won a major tournament since 1966, but they have the world’s best football league. Imagine how much money the three million people who watch football make each weekend. That is what we must re-create.
Facility Gap Bridging
Dikko also emphasized the need to address the nation’s lack of sports broadcasting infrastructure.
The biggest obstacle to our economy’s success lies in the development of sports content, according to the statement. Because of this deficit, he claimed, it could cost 20 to 30 million to produce one football game in Nigeria.
We are attempting to break the cycle, they say. We’re speaking with suppliers who can assist in the restoration of previously abandoned systems, and every region of the nation needs dedicated infrastructure.
The NSC Chair also announced the establishment of a national e-sports federation to combat youth unemployment.
We’re establishing an e-sports federation. Millions of dollars are employed, and there are numerous opportunities. This is where we can channel their energy and make money because over 70% of Nigeria’s population is young, he said.
Gateway Games 2025
Dikko further praised the ongoing Gateway Games 2025 as a major achievement for Nigerian sports, highlighting its economic impact on small businesses and communities.
He declared, “This is the best festival we’ve had so far,” Some people will cry when the games are over because Gateway Games created wealth for small businesses. We want to offer the most events.
He described Ogun State as the “hub” of this new economic activity in sports and revealed that plans are being worked out for the under-18 and under-20 championships in July.
