National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko has stepped up his bid to meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s mandate to refurbish and upscale sporting facilities across the country as a foundation for sustainable sports development and advancement of sports economy. The pilot project to this effect is the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja.
Sequel to the NSC Mallam Dikko’s facilities tour to Europe and engagements with global experts, in April 2025, one of the best stadium infrastructures development, construction and management Groups in Europe were in the country on a three-day visit from May 13th to 15th, 2025 to carry out on-the-spot assessment of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium pitch and other ancillary facilities preparatory to refurbishment and upgrade.
In the meetings in Europe, an understanding was reached for the team of experts to come for on-the-spot needs assessment, set up in Nigeria and potentially work towards fixing the nation’s pitches to the best international standards starting with the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, as well as setting up a sustainable maintenance program. The envisioned project would also include transfer of technology and training of domestic competencies which will guarantee sustainability, job creation and advance the sports economy vision.
The group, that are reputed for huge competence in constructing and managing facilities at world-class stadiums and elite clubs like Juventus Stadium, Real Madrid’sBernabeu, and the SanSiro assessed the MKO Abiola National Stadium pitch and other relevant facilities in the company of the NSC Chairman, Director of Facilities, Mr. Mohammed Rabiu and DFA, Mr. Mustapha Ladan and other technical personel from the NSC facilities department.
They assessed the pitch, drainage systems, irrigation systems, dressing rooms and relevant facilities at the main bowl and would proposed a sustainable pathway to bringing the stadium back to life in line with best international standards.
The project commencement is September 2025 with 3 months completion period
