No Player Donated Funds To Maintain Akpabio’s Stadium – Akwa Ibom Govt, Eagles Scribe

The Akwa Ibom State Government has vehemently denied social media reports alleging that Super Eagles players contributed funds for the renovation of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and are dissatisfied with purported delays in the work.

Reports had suggested that prominent Super Eagles players, including Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman, were unhappy with the stadium’s condition and had collectively donated approximately $750,000 (₦1.2 billion) to support renovation efforts following a previous AFCON qualifier. These funds were reportedly intended for upgrades to LED advertising boards, scoreboards, floodlights, dressing rooms, and the pitch.

However, Dr. Aniekan Umanah, the Commissioner for Information, and Elder Paul Bassey, the Commissioner for Sports, clarified that the stadium’s maintenance is “100 percent funded by the State government, and at no time did any Super Eagles player, or any individual, donate money for its upgrade or upkeep.”

They highlighted that the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is a world-class facility, currently the only one in Nigeria approved by both CAF and FIFA for international matches. The stadium is maintained under a running contract with Julius Berger Plc, ensuring an impeccable playing pitch, modern dressing rooms, FIFA-approved floodlights, and a fully functional electronic scoreboard, all of which were utilised during the last Super Eagles match in Uyo.

This high standard recently earned Akwa Ibom State recognition from Sportsville as the ‘Best in Sports Infrastructure’, an accolade the Commissioners described as independent validation of the government’s substantial investment in sports development. Commissioner Bassey added that the stadium has served as the Super Eagles’ home for over a decade without complaints, with the State government consistently providing for the team’s logistics and welfare.

The Secretary of the Super Eagles, Mr. Dayo Enebi Achor, described the reports of players contributing to stadium maintenance as “embarrassing,” noting the players’ surprise at the narrative.

Commissioner Umanah warned against the spread of false information, reminding that “dissemination of fake news is punishable by law.” He reiterated the State Government’s commitment under Governor Pastor Umo Eno to continued heavy investment in sports development, including stadium maintenance, facility construction, equipment provision, and talent development.

The government urged the public to disregard the “smear attempt,” asserting it would not distract from their resolve to advance sports development in Akwa Ibom State.