RismadarVoice Reporters, January 20, 2026
The planned upgrade of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, is expected to cost N24.642 billion from the N203.6 billion allocated to the National Sports Commission (NSC) in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
President Bola Tinubu had last year presented a N58.18 trillion “Budget of Restoration” to a joint session of the National Assembly.
Nigeria’s sports budget for 2026 has risen sharply by over 300 per cent, from N78 billion in 2025, as the government targets extensive infrastructure rehabilitation and participation in major international competitions.
Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, had earlier indicated that work on the Abuja stadium would commence before the end of 2025 as part of a broader strategy to revive Nigeria’s sports facilities.
Stadium Rehabilitation Breakdown
In the 2026 budget, the NSC has earmarked:
• N18.775 billion for the first phase of rehabilitation and upgrade of the stadium’s main bowl
• N5.8 billion for the completion of a high-performance centre for athletes
• N65 million for the provision of internet bandwidth, including fibre optic and LAN/WAN connectivity at the stadium and other critical national sports infrastructure
In addition, N15.5 billion has been allocated for the construction of a sports secretariat within the stadium complex.
History and Decline of the Facility
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium was commissioned in 2003 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Built at a cost of $360 million between 2000 and 2003 to host the 8th African Games, the stadium has a seating capacity of 60,491, covered by a lightweight roof structure.
Despite undergoing renovation between 2020 and 2022, the facility has since been declared unfit to host Nigeria’s senior national teams and major competitions.
Under former Sports Minister Sunday Dare, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, committed $1 million towards rehabilitating the main bowl of the stadium.
The renovation, carried out by local contractors under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, included the installation of Pure Dynasty Paspalum grass, two digital scoreboards, 24 sprinklers, nursery beds, and a two-year maintenance plan.
However, the pitch deteriorated less than a year after it was handed over to the Federal Government.
As a result, the Super Eagles were forced to relocate their home matches to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
Their last match at the Abuja stadium was on March 24, 2023, when Nigeria lost 1–0 to Guinea-Bissau, a defeat that drew criticism of the playing surface from then coach José Peseiro and several players.
Funding for International Competitions
Beyond infrastructure, the NSC has also made substantial provisions for Nigeria’s participation in international sporting events.
The commission has earmarked:
• N4.2228 billion for Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland (July 23–August 2)
• N5.105 billion to intensify preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
• N1 billion for participation in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy
In football-related activities, the NSC plans to spend N14.2 billion on Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and other FIFA competitions involving both the men’s and women’s national teams.
