Contractors of Osogbo remodelled stadium targets one-year completion span

The remodelling of Osogbo City Stadium has reached 40 per cent completion, with the contractor, Maxwell International Ventures Limited, assuring that the playing surface is being developed to meet the standards of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

The Project Manager, Architect Jacob Oyekale, disclosed this during a facility tour with members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Osun State Chapter.

Oyekale said the project had recorded significant progress despite funding constraints and interruptions that affected the original completion schedule.

He attributed the delay to inadequate funding and the suspension of construction activities during the pre-election period, which prevented the contractor from meeting the initial deadline.

“We are well over 40 per cent complete. I cannot give a specific date at the moment, but I believe the project should be completed within the next few months, certainly in less than a year,” he said.

According to Oyekale, the stadium’s main bowl is being expanded from a seating capacity of 5,000 to 15,000 spectators, with covered stands designed to provide a more comfortable viewing experience.

He disclosed that the initial plan to use natural grass for the main playing field had been changed to artificial turf following consultations, adding that the imported surface was already available for installation.

The facility will also feature Olympic-certified running tracks to complement the main playing field.

Oyekale explained that the decision to construct two additional training pitches behind the stadium was informed by the need to protect the main playing surface from excessive use.

“One will be a natural-grass training pitch with a track, possibly a four-lane track, while the other will have artificial turf. We will also have a certified hockey field,” he said.

He added that plans were underway to develop an indoor sports hub capable of accommodating multiple sporting activities, alongside handball, volleyball and basketball courts, subject to the final arrangement of the facilities.

The project also includes a hostel with a capacity of more than 100 beds. Oyekale explained that the final accommodation arrangement would determine the number of occupants, as some rooms would accommodate two people while others could house four.

On further improvements to the grandstand, the project manager revealed that a new design was being considered to eliminate intermediate columns that currently obstruct spectators’ views of the playing field.

He said the existing structure would be retained for the planned inauguration, while the proposed modifications would be carried out afterwards.

The new design is expected to include VIP booths for spectators seeking more private and comfortable viewing spaces. Each booth will accommodate eight people and have its own convenience facilities.

Oyekale said the long-term ambition was to position Osun State among Nigeria’s leading sports destinations by providing facilities capable of hosting national and international competitions.

He identified hosting the National Sports Festival as one of the state’s immediate ambitions, adding that Osun could subsequently position itself to bid for international sporting events.

According to the project manager, the remodelling is expected to support the development of sports professionals, including athletes and coaches, while creating economic opportunities for residents.

He noted that major sporting events could attract large numbers of visitors to Osogbo, creating business opportunities for hotels, food vendors, tourism operators and other service providers.

Oyekale also disclosed that the contractor was working with the Ministry of Sports, the Sports Council, the Ministry of Works and the PPA in Osogbo to ensure that the project meets the state’s requirements.

He expressed optimism that the completed facility would provide Osun State with a modern sporting complex capable of supporting grassroots sports development, hosting major competitions and contributing to economic growth.