Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of Nigeria’s sporting facilities, particularly the MKO Abiola National Stadium and other national stadia across the country.
Shaibu attributed the decay largely to the frequent use of stadiums for political and religious gatherings, urging authorities to put an end to the practice.
He emphasised that stadiums were built primarily for sporting activities, including the training, retraining, and development of Nigerian athletes, and should be preserved strictly for those purposes.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Ben Ogbemudia, the former Edo State Deputy Governor lamented that the trend has left Nigeria with very few stadiums that meet international standards. He noted that the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium currently remains the only facility in the country that fully satisfies FIFA requirements for hosting international matches.
Reflecting on his time in office, Shaibu said deliberate efforts were made during his tenure to preserve the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, particularly the athletics track which was still under warranty with the contractor.
However, he said the situation changed following disagreements with former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, after which approval was granted for singer Rema’s homecoming concert at the stadium.
According to Shaibu, the event allowed heavy vehicles and equipment onto the pitch and athletics track, damaging the facility and breaching the contractor’s warranty agreement, leaving the stadium unable to host international matches without major repairs.
He therefore called on the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation to work with the National Institute for Sports to protect and restore sports infrastructure nationwide, stressing that safeguarding stadiums is vital for youth development and Nigeria’s future in global sports.
