How We Missed ‘African Wembley’ Dream For National Stadium Lagos – Dalung

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has publicly expressed his profound regret over a missed opportunity to transform the National Stadium Lagos into an “African Wembley,” a project he claims was scuttled by a forged letter during the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s illness.

Speaking candidly about the events that transpired during his tenure, Dalung recounted how the then Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, approached his ministry with a robust N11 billion funding proposal for the stadium’s rehabilitation. “Governor Ambode approached the Ministry that he has secured N11 billion funding, and he wanted to rehabilitate the National Stadium Lagos and make it an African Wembley,” Dalung stated.

Inspired by this ambitious vision, Dalung said he penned a memo to President Buhari and personally met with him to explain the proposal. The President, according to Dalung, gave his approval, but with a significant caveat: the stadium’s name wouldn’t be changed. This presidential directive led to the formation of a 20-member technical committee, equally represented by the Ministry and the Lagos State government, to oversee the renovation.

Dalung vividly recalled an inspection of the stadium with Governor Ambode and his team, where the Lagos State government expressed its readiness to take over and commence the rehabilitation work. However, the promising initiative took an unexpected turn when President Buhari fell ill and was admitted in London.

“When the President took ill and was on admission in London, a letter forged from the office of the Chief of Staff to the President with the signature of the President forged,” Dalung revealed. He further explained that this fraudulent letter was sent directly to the Governor of Lagos State, informing him that the President had disapproved the renovation. “It was Governor Ambode who, perplexed by the communication, forwarded a copy of the letter to me.”

Recognising the irregularity, Dalung said he immediately took the letter to the then Acting President, insisting on an investigation. “I told him that this letter was forged because it didn’t follow the protocol of government’s communication. The Lagos State government did not write a letter to the President. They wrote the Minister and I put up a memo to the President. So, the President cannot reply the Governor of Lagos State, he would reply me,” Dalung explained, highlighting the breach of established governmental procedures.

Despite his insistence, the Acting President appealed to Dalung to “allow it slide.” It was this decision, Dalung asserts, that sealed the fate of the “African Wembley” project.

“That was how we lost an opportunity for the renovation of the National Stadium in Lagos,” he lamented, recalling President Buhari’s initial commitment to a partnership agreement that would ensure free training for athletes while allowing the government to generate revenue.

Dalung expressed the deep personal pain of leaving office with the regret of losing such a significant opportunity. He also addressed ongoing discussions about concessions, stating, “if there were subsequent concessions, maybe after I have left office because in my handover note, the report suggested that there were ongoing concessions that we inherited and were unable to conclude.”

While the grand “African Wembley” vision remained unfulfilled, Dalung did highlight some tangible achievements during his tenure at the National Stadium. “We also embarked on renovation of some of the facilities at the Stadium like the Paralympic gymnasium,” he noted, crediting a partnership with Wabco for rehabilitating and updating it to a state-of-the-art facility. Additionally, the indoor basketball court and the swimming pool within the same stadium complex underwent renovation.

Dalung concluded by challenging critics, to produce evidence regarding any alleged concessions or payments during his watch, while also offering a prayer for their personal growth and responsibility.