The Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja is set to undergo a major upgrade at a projected cost of N24,642,000,000, drawn from the N203,602,968,852 budget allocated to the National Sports Commission (NSC) in Nigeria’s 2026 appropriation bill.
President Bola Tinubu had presented the N58.18 trillion “Budget of Restoration” to a joint session of the National Assembly last year. Nigeria’s sports budget for 2026 has seen a remarkable 300% increase from the N78 billion allocated in 2025, as the commission targets the rehabilitation of facilities and funding of major competitions.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko had previously indicated that work on the stadium would commence by the end of 2025 as part of wider efforts to revive Nigeria’s sports infrastructure.
The 60,491-capacity stadium, originally opened in 2003 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had been deemed unsuitable for senior national team matches despite a renovation between 2020 and 2022. The facelift, executed by local contractors under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), included Pure Dynasty Paspalum grass, two digital scoreboards, 24 sprinklers, nursery beds, and a two-year maintenance plan. Billionaire Aliko Dangote had contributed $1 million toward the restoration of the main pitch.
However, the pitch deteriorated within a year, forcing the Super Eagles to relocate home matches to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. The team’s last match on the Abuja pitch was a 1–0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on March 24, 2023, with coach José Peseiro and several players criticizing the playing surface.
For 2026, the NSC has allocated:
- N18.78bn for the first phase of rehabilitation and upgrading of the stadium’s main bowl,
- N5.8bn to complete a high-performance centre for athletes,
- N65m for internet connectivity via optic fibre and LAN/WAN across critical sporting infrastructure,
- N15.5bn for the construction of a sports secretariat at the stadium.
The stadium was built between 2000 and 2003 at a cost of $360 million to host the 8th African Games in October 2003, featuring a lightweight roof covering and modern amenities.
Additional allocations in the 2026 budget include:
- N4.22bn for Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland,
- N5.11bn for preparations toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles,
- N1bn for participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy,
- N14.2bn for football engagements, covering the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and other FIFA tournaments.
The NSC’s expanded budget highlights Nigeria’s renewed focus on sports infrastructure, athlete development, and international competition in preparation for global tournaments.
