The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has announced that renovation works have commenced at national stadiums across the country to boost the sports sector.
OsunDailyNG reports that the NSC Chairman decried the state of national stadiums across the country. He noted that almost all the national stadiums have had no major renovation work for a long time, leading to the decay of edifice infrastructures.
In a statement on Sunday, the Dikko stated this in a statement on Sunday, following his routine tour of the national stadiums across the country on Thursday.
“I paid an unscheduled visit to the iconic National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, in furtherance to the ongoing effort by the NSC to concession the stadium to the private sector to rehabilitate, upgrade and turn around the facility to a multi-purpose sporting, entertainment and commercial arena.
“It’s quite sad, that an iconic national edifice of this nature was left unattended for decades to rot to this stage in spite of its rich history and indeed potential to be a huge sporting, entertainment and commercial hub in line to the best intentional practices.
Dikko stated that NSC is dedicated to revolutionizing the national sports sector to enhance athlete performance and increase revenue generation in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s administration policy.
“The NSC 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 so as 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 Bola Tinubu 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,” he stated.
He disclosed that while Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, and Ibadan (Liberty Stadium) were already receiving attention, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu was already in control of the state’s government.
“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 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,” he explained.
He further disclosed that plans were underway to engage with state governments for intervention to ensure all stadium infrastructures across the nation were attended to.
“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 utilizing the available land in the stadium.
“Similarly, plans are underway to intervene and engage with other state Governments to ensure all available stadium infrastructures whether state or federal-owned are put on top shape to advance sports development across the country,” he added.
