Total Renovation To Begin Soon At Abuja, Lagos, Other Stadiums – NSC Chairman

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, has confirmed that comprehensive renovation works will soon commence at several major stadiums across Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with renowned journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Dikko disclosed that the Abuja National Stadium will be the starting point of the ambitious project, with Ibadan, Kaduna, Lagos and possibly Uyo also slated for upgrades.

According to the NSC chairman, the Abuja stadium will receive a pitch of the same quality and technology currently being used in Morocco for the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

“It’s the same quality of pitch and technology [in Morocco for the AFCON] that we are scheduled to put in the Abuja stadium,” Dikko said.

He noted that Nigeria could have been the first country in Africa to install such advanced pitch technology, but procedural requirements delayed the process.

“We should have been the first in Africa, before Morocco, if not for the fact that we had to align with due process requirements to procure the project, since the people handling it are coming from abroad and this is their first project in Nigeria,” he explained.

Dikko further revealed that the contractors responsible for some of Europe’s most iconic football pitches have been engaged for the Nigerian project.

“The same people that did the AC Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid pitches are the same people coming to do ours,” he stated.

He added that the contractors have already carried out inspections at the Abuja stadium, with samples taken abroad for testing.

“They came to Nigeria to inspect the Abuja stadium and took the sand and water to Europe for testing, and all is now set,” Dikko confirmed.

Outlining the phased approach to the renovation, the NSC chairman said Abuja will lead the way before attention shifts to other key venues.

“Abuja will start, and once it comes good, Kaduna, Ibadan and Lagos are on the cards.

We will work with state governments to redo their stadium pitches. Even Uyo might change,” he said.

Dikko, however, stressed that long-term maintenance will be critical to the success of the project.

“The maintenance will be the key. There must be a solid 10–15 year maintenance plan from the beginning,” he added.

The proposed renovations are expected to significantly improve Nigeria’s sports infrastructure and restore confidence in the country’s ability to host major international competitions.