NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko Visits National Stadium Lagos, Promises Revamp Through Private Sector Concession

 

Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rehabilitating and upgrading Nigeria’s sporting infrastructure through public-private partnerships (PPP).

 

Dikko made this known during an unscheduled visit to the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on January 23, 2025, as part of efforts to concession the facility to private investors for redevelopment into a multi-purpose sports, entertainment, and commercial hub.

 

Expressing disappointment over the stadium’s decades-long neglect, Dikko lamented that such an iconic national asset had been left to deteriorate despite its rich history and potential.

 

However, he acknowledged the philanthropic efforts of Chief Kessington Adebutu (Baba Ijebu), who, under the former Minister of Sports Chief Sunday Dare’s “Adopt-a-Facility” initiative, contributed to the revival of the pitch, tracks, and scoreboard, enabling continued training activities at the stadium.

 

Dikko assured that the NSC is working to fast-track the concessioning process, attract serious investors, and develop available land within the complex into a sports city. He emphasized that these efforts align with the Renewed Hope for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE) program under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

Beyond Lagos, Dikko revealed that other national stadiums, including Ahmadu Bello Stadium (Kaduna), Tafawa Balewa Stadium (Bauchi), Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (Ibadan), and Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium (Enugu), will also receive significant attention under the concession framework.

 

Additionally, the NSC has finalized plans in the 2025 budget for the full rehabilitation of the MKO Abiola Stadium (National Stadium, Abuja) main bowl.

 

The chairman reiterated the government’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s sports infrastructure through sustainable PPP models, providing incentives for investors, and ensuring that national stadiums regain their place as centers of excellence in sports and entertainment.