The Federal Government of Nigeria is considering the prospect of demolishing and rebuilding the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, to breathe new life into the iconic sporting arena.
John Owan-Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, revealed this as he emphasized the government’s commitment to revitalizing the nearly moribund facility, which has been plagued by neglect and poor maintenance for over 15 years.
The stadium, originally constructed in 1972 ahead of the 1973 All Africa Games, has suffered a gradual decline in functionality due to neglect and inadequate maintenance.
The recent efforts by the former Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, to engage in a public-private partnership through the “adopt-a-facility” program led to some improvements, such as the repair of the tartan tracks, football pitch, and scoreboard, thanks to Chief Adebutu Kessington’s intervention.
Speaking at a meeting with stakeholders in Lagos, Minister Owan-Enoh expressed his willingness to reconsider the planned concession of the stadium in light of its current state.
He acknowledged the potential benefits of the creative industry that emerged from similar arrangements with the National Arts Theatre in Lagos.
As a result, discussions about the concession will be further deliberated, with the ultimate goal of revitalizing the cherished sporting arena.
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Furthermore, Owan-Enoh pointed out that the Abuja Stadium is also deteriorating and could potentially face a situation similar to that of the Lagos facility if not addressed promptly.
This underscores the urgency of addressing the infrastructure and maintenance challenges facing Nigeria’s sports facilities.
The Minister vowed to operate with an open-door policy and to engage every sports federation to ensure comprehensive development across all sporting disciplines.
He emphasized equal attention for male and female athletes as well as those with physical challenges, demonstrating his commitment to inclusivity and equity in sports development.
Owan-Enoh acknowledged the multifaceted challenges facing Nigerian sports, including funding constraints, trust issues, and facility problems, which are interrelated.
He highlighted the potential for resolving these issues, asserting that the sports sector’s problems, while significant, are not insurmountable.
Drawing upon his track record of success in previous endeavors, the Minister expressed his determination to lead the transformation of Nigeria’s sports sector into a thriving and well-supported domain.
As the government contemplates the future of the National Stadium in Lagos, sports enthusiasts and stakeholders eagerly await the outcome of discussions that could potentially herald a new era of sporting excellence in Nigeria
