FG Approves ₦24.6 Billion For Major Rehabilitation Of Abuja National Stadium

According to Ireporter Online, the Federal Government has approved a fresh and comprehensive redevelopment of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja as part of ongoing efforts to modernise sports infrastructure and reposition the sector for economic advancement and youth development.

The intervention, sanctioned through the National Sports Commission (NSC), will involve a full-scale upgrade of the stadium’s main pitch and tartan tracks, alongside the rehabilitation of key facilities within the complex.

The project is coming years after the facility underwent a major facelift between 2020 and 2022 under the Ministry of Sports’ Adopt-a-Pitch initiative, which was financed by businessman Aliko Dangote.

Details from the Commission indicate that the renovation will cover dressing rooms, media centre, VIP and corporate boxes, public address systems, security infrastructure, cooling and heating units, and the restoration of the stadium roof membrane.

The Federal Government had earlier earmarked ₦24.6 billion in the 2026 budget for the broader structural rehabilitation of the facility through the NSC.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of leveraging sports as a driver of youth empowerment, economic growth, and infrastructural development. He added that the upgrade would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to host major international sporting events.

As part of the redevelopment plan, a High Performance Centre will also be established within the stadium complex, while the existing 200-bed athletes’ hostel will be converted into a hotel-standard facility. The project also includes the rehabilitation of the swimming pool and the construction of two additional training pitches.

In addition, the government plans to install international-standard floodlights, electronic advertising boards, and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. Anti-doping laboratories and improved sports medical facilities will also be provided to align with global best practices.

Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, described the initiative as a holistic sports ecosystem aimed at strengthening talent identification and development across the country. He noted that the project would generate employment opportunities, improve athlete development pathways, and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Beyond the Abuja stadium upgrade, the Federal Government has also approved the establishment of 20 mini sports centres across the country to support grassroots sports development, encourage youth participation, and enhance talent discovery at community level.