President Bola Tinubu approves upgrade of MKO Abiola Stadium as national teams set to return to Abuja

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the upgrade of the Moshood Abiola Stadium and the 200-room hostel in Package B of the stadium.

This was revealed by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, on Thursday during a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
Dikko said Tinubu’s passion for sports development will begin to manifest when the budget for 2025 is approved by the National Assembly.

According to him, Tinubu is set for the sports business by investing money for a total upgrade of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, which includes turning the 200-room hostel at Package B into use and upgrading the pitch to return all national teams to Abuja.

Also, giving out monies to sports federations for constant sporting activities across the country, school sports development, sponsoring of sports clubs that represent Nigeria at international competitions, introduction center of excellence, and scholarships for students who excel in sports and education.

“Upgrade of the national stadium, Abuja, and the hostel at Package B has been approved by President Tinubu.” The former NPFL boss told www.bsnsports.com.ng.

“In order to turn around the state of sports in Nigeria, the Center of Excellence will be put in place at the Local Government levels for grassroots development. Payment for content creation for all sports federations is in the budget. Also in the NSC budget is yearly money set aside for the preparations of the Olympics and Commonwealth Games and payment for the scholarships for the discovered excellent athletes. ” He concluded.

With the intended renovation, national teams comprising both men and women are set to return to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, for camps and home games.

The Super Eagles played all their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.

On the women’s side, the Super Falcons recently played two friendly games in Ikenne, Ogun State, and Lagos State.
The renovation of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja will make the FCT home to various national teams.