President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the comprehensive upgrade of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja and the revival of the 200-room hostel in its Package B facility. The announcement was made on Thursday by Malam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), during a courtesy visit by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to his office in Abuja.
Dikko revealed that President Tinubu’s commitment to sports development will become evident with the approval of the 2025 national budget by the National Assembly. He emphasized Tinubu’s focus on revitalizing Nigeria’s sports sector through significant investments and strategic initiatives.
“The President has approved the upgrade of the national stadium and the 200-room hostel at Package B. This marks a turning point for sports development in Nigeria,” Dikko stated.
The stadium’s pitch will also undergo renovations to ensure that all national teams can return to Abuja for their matches. Additionally, funds will be allocated to sports federations to support regular sporting activities, grassroots development, and the preparation of teams for international competitions.
Key initiatives outlined by Dikko include the establishment of Centers of Excellence at the local government level to foster grassroots sports development, as well as scholarships for students excelling in both academics and sports.
The 2025 budget will also allocate funds for school sports programs, support for sports clubs representing Nigeria on the global stage, and content creation for all sports federations. Long-term preparations for major international events, such as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, are also prioritized.
These efforts underscore Tinubu’s vision for a vibrant sports ecosystem that will elevate Nigeria’s global sports standing while fostering talent development across all levels.
