The proposed upgrade of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, is expected to gulp N24.64 billion from the N203.6 billion allocated to the National Sports Commission (NSC) in the 2026 appropriation bill, The SOCIETYGIST reports.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had last year presented a N58.18 trillion “Budget of Restoration” to a joint session of the National Assembly, with Nigeria’s sports sector emerging as one of the major beneficiaries. The sports budget for 2026 represents a 300 per cent increase from the N78 billion allocated in 2025, as the NSC targets infrastructure renewal 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 efforts to revive Nigeria’s deteriorating sports infrastructure.
Opened in 2003 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Moshood Abiola National Stadium has long been declared unfit to host senior national teams and major international competitions. This is despite undergoing renovation between 2020 and 2022.
Under the tenure of former Sports Minister Sunday Dare, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, donated $1 million towards the rehabilitation of the stadium’s main bowl. The project, handled by local contractors, included the installation of Pure Dynasty Paspalum grass, two digital scoreboards, 24 sprinklers, nursery beds and a two-year maintenance plan under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
However, the facelift failed to stand the test of time, as the pitch deteriorated within a year of being handed over to the Federal Government. The poor playing surface forced the Super Eagles to relocate their home matches to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Nigeria last played at the Abuja stadium on March 24, 2023, suffering a 1–0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, after which then head coach José Peseiro and several players criticised the pitch.
Breakdown of the 2026 budget shows that the NSC has earmarked N18.78 billion for the first phase of rehabilitation and upgrading of the stadium’s main bowl, while N5.8 billion has been allocated for the completion of a high-performance centre for athletes. An additional N65 million is set aside for internet bandwidth provision through optic fibre and LAN/WAN connectivity at the stadium and other critical national sporting facilities.
The commission also plans to spend N15.5 billion on the construction of a sports secretariat within the stadium complex.
Constructed at a cost of $360 million between 2000 and 2003 for the 8th African Games, the stadium has a seating capacity of 60,491 spectators and is covered by a lightweight roof structure.
Beyond infrastructure, the NSC has allocated N4.22 billion for Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 Commonwealth Games scheduled for Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
Preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will cost N5.11 billion, while Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy is projected at N1 billion.
In football-related activities, the commission 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 the men’s and women’s national teams.
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