RismadarVoice Reporters
March 27, 2026
Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed reports claiming that Super Eagles players contributed funds for the renovation of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, describing the allegations as false and misleading.
Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, alongside the Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey, debunked the claims while addressing journalists, stressing that the stadium is fully maintained by the state government.
They clarified that at no time did any Super Eagles player or individual donate money towards the upgrade or upkeep of the facility.
“The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is 100 per cent maintained by the Akwa Ibom State Government and remains in excellent condition,” the commissioners said.
They added that the stadium, regarded as one of the best football facilities globally, is currently the only one in Nigeria approved by both the Confederation of African Football and FIFA for international matches.
According to the officials, the facility is maintained under a running contract with Julius Berger Plc, ensuring a standard playing pitch, modern dressing rooms, FIFA-approved floodlights and a fully functional electronic scoreboard.
They noted that these facilities were fully operational during the last Super Eagles match held in Uyo.
The commissioners also referenced recent recognition by Sportsville, which named Akwa Ibom State the best in sports infrastructure, describing the award as validation of the government’s investment in the sector.
Bassey further stated that the stadium has hosted the Super Eagles for over a decade without complaints from players or officials, adding that the state government consistently handles the team’s logistics and welfare during matches.
Reacting to the reports, Super Eagles Secretary, Enebi Achor, described the claim that players contributed to the stadium’s maintenance as “embarrassing,” noting that the team was surprised by the narrative.
The government warned individuals and media platforms against spreading unverified information, stressing that the dissemination of false reports is punishable by law.
It reiterated its commitment to sports development under Governor Umo Eno, including sustained investment in infrastructure, equipment, and talent development programmes.
The state government urged the public to disregard the reports, describing them as a smear campaign aimed at undermining its efforts in the sports sector.
