Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has reaffirmed that the reconstruction of the iconic Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS) will be completed by November 2026, as the state moves to restore the historic venue to the centre of Nigerian sports.
Sani made the declaration during an inspection tour of the ongoing project alongside Nigerian football legends Daniel Amokachi, Garba Lawal, Emmanuel Babayaro and other sports stakeholders.
The governor said the rebuilt stadium will feature a 33,000-capacity main bowl, more than twice the original 16,000 capacity, alongside a hybrid playing surface and other modern facilities designed to meet FIFA standards.
“The objective is larger than rebuilding a stadium. We are restoring Kaduna’s historic place at the heart of Nigerian sports,” Sani said.
He added that the project would help Kaduna attract major local and international competitions, create opportunities for young athletes, increase internally generated revenue and stimulate wider economic activity.
According to the governor, the training pitches have already been completed, while work continues on the main bowl, ticketing points, media centre and athletes’ hostel.
The reconstruction followed the transfer of the stadium from the National Sports Commission to the Kaduna State Government in February 2026, with the facility originally planned to expand to about 32,000 seats.
Sani also used the occasion to announce the fulfilment of a long-standing promise to members of Nigeria’s historic Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medal-winning Super Eagles.
He said the players, who had reportedly been promised land and streets named in their honour three decades ago, would now receive the recognition promised to them.
“Lands have been allocated to the legends, while streets across Kaduna State will bear their names,” the governor said.
“These football heroes elevated Nigeria’s name, inspired generations and left an indelible mark on the global game. They deserve not merely our applause, but enduring recognition.”
The governor stressed that the transformation of ABS was about more than infrastructure, describing it as an attempt to reclaim Kaduna’s position as one of Nigeria’s traditional sporting powerhouses.
“I reaffirmed that the reconstruction of ABS will be completed by November 2026, ready to host major local and international competitions,” he said.
“Kaduna is not merely rebuilding a stadium. We are rebuilding a legacy and reclaiming our rightful place in Nigerian sports.”
The project is part of Kaduna’s broader push to position the state as a major sports destination through investment in facilities, youth development and sports tourism.
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