In a significant move aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s vision for sustainable sports development, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has taken concrete steps to upgrade Nigeria’s sporting infrastructure, beginning with the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, following a strategic tour of top European sports facilities in April 2025, has welcomed to Nigeria one of Europe’s leading stadium development and management groups — a team with an impressive track record on globally acclaimed venues including the Allianz Arena, Juventus Stadium, Santiago Bernabéu, and San Siro.
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The delegation, on a three-day technical mission from May 13 to 15, 2025, conducted a comprehensive on-site assessment of the stadium’s pitch, drainage, irrigation systems, dressing rooms, and other key infrastructure. The evaluation marks a major step in the preparation for a full-scale refurbishment designed to align the stadium with international standards.
The transformation is expected to begin in September 2025, with a three-month project timeline.
Beyond physical renovation, the initiative includes the transfer of advanced maintenance technology and skills to Nigerian personnel, laying a foundation for long-term sustainability, job creation, and a thriving sports economy.
“The President has mandated us to upscale our sporting infrastructure — and we must deliver,” Dikko emphasized.
“The Moshood Abiola Stadium will be our proof of concept. We cannot accept a reality where only one stadium in Nigeria meets FIFA standards. This is our moment to change that.”
The upgrade of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium is the first in a series of planned renovations nationwide, as Nigeria charts a new path toward global competitiveness in sports infrastructure and economic impact through sports.
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