President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Moshood Abiola Stadium (MKO Stadium) in Abuja, alongside plans to improve several other key sports facilities in the country, Soccernet.ng reports.
The approval is part of the 2025 budget of the National Sports Commission (NSC), which aims to enhance the sports infrastructure of Nigeria.
Soccernet.ng spoke with Kola Daniel, the Special Adviser on Media to the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), who confirmed the news.
Daniel affirmed that the planned upgrades are a significant part of the NSC’s budget push for the year, with the MKO Stadium at the forefront of the renovations.
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The 2025 budget allocates substantial funds for the upgrade of various sports infrastructure, which is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s sporting capabilities and improve the country’s performance on the global stage.
The improvements will include upgrading key stadiums to meet international standards, which would enhance the quality of pitches, and provide better facilities for athletes.
Additionally, the plans aim to increase funding for sports federations, support grassroots development, and encourage talent at all levels.
Nigeria recently lost its bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, which was awarded to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, who will jointly host the event.
One of the reasons Nigeria-Benin’s bid was unsuccessful, as revealed by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, was the bidder’s ability to offer the best “transport, logistics, hotels, and beautiful stadiums.”
Now, with Nigeria focused on repairing and restructuring its stadiums and sports facilities, it appears the country is preparing for future bids for major tournaments.