Moshood Abiola National Stadium Will Be Fully Operational by December — NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko Assures Nigerians
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has made a significant announcement that will excite Nigerian sports enthusiasts and stakeholders. According to him, the iconic Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja will be fully operational before the end of December 2025. This major development comes as part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to overhaul Nigeria’s sports infrastructure and make the country a competitive force on the global sports stage.
Dikko shared these encouraging updates during an interview on Channels Television’s "The Morning Brief", aired on Monday, May 26, 2025. During the interview, he revealed several key plans that are already in motion to revive not just the Abuja stadium, but also to modernize sports facilities across the country, develop community sports hubs, and create sustainable ecosystems around major stadiums.
A New Era for Nigerian Sports Infrastructure
In what could be described as a historic turnaround, Shehu Dikko revealed that Nigeria’s 2025 sports budget has increased by over 300%, marking the largest financial allocation to the sports sector in more than six decades.
“If you look at the budget of the National Sports Commission, it’s up by over 300 percent. This is the best budget for sports in 60 years,” Dikko stated.
This landmark budget increase underscores the administration’s renewed commitment to rebuilding Nigeria’s sports infrastructure, which has suffered from decades of neglect, mismanagement, and underfunding. The current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears to be reversing that trend, positioning sports as a strategic pillar for national development.
Abuja Stadium: A National Monument on the Path to Restoration
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium, named after the late democratic icon MKO Abiola, is one of Nigeria’s most significant sports and cultural landmarks. Constructed in the early 2000s for the 2003 All-Africa Games, the stadium was once regarded as one of the best on the African continent. However, over the years, poor maintenance, lack of funding, and mismanagement led to its decline.
Dikko has now confirmed that the stadium will be fully operational by December 2025, a deadline that offers hope to sports fans who have long awaited its revival. The restoration of the stadium is not just about sports but about reviving a national monument, enhancing Nigeria’s image globally, and opening up new economic and tourism opportunities.
Concession Plans and International Partnerships
Another key component of the NSC’s strategy involves concessioning major sports facilities to private investors. According to Dikko, the government is currently in discussions with international partners and investors to ensure that these facilities meet global standards in terms of infrastructure, management, and service delivery.
“We are developing entire ecosystems around the stadiums, including shopping malls, hotels, convention centers, amusement parks, and arenas, so that these facilities can generate revenue 24/7—not just on match days,” Dikko explained.
This innovative model shifts away from traditional stadium usage, which often limited revenue generation to specific match days or tournaments. Instead, the NSC aims to transform stadiums into multi-purpose entertainment and business hubs, creating sustainable economic engines that can operate year-round.
Mini Sports Centers to Be Developed Nationwide
Beyond the large stadiums, the NSC is also turning its attention to grassroots sports development. Dikko disclosed that part of the new budget will go towards developing mini sports centers in communities across Nigeria. These centers will serve as hubs for talent discovery, youth engagement, and community development.
This strategy aligns with global best practices where sports are not only seen as a recreational activity but also as a tool for social inclusion, youth empowerment, and crime prevention. With thousands of unemployed and underutilized youth in Nigeria, the introduction of community sports centers could provide meaningful opportunities and pathways to professional sports careers.
President Tinubu’s Vision for Sports in Nigeria
Shehu Dikko emphasized that the renewed push for sports infrastructure is deeply tied to President Tinubu’s vision for the sector. Unlike previous administrations, which focused mainly on funding teams for competitions, Tinubu’s government is focused on structural investments that can outlive any single administration.
“It’s not just about building infrastructure,” Dikko emphasized.
“We are developing entire ecosystems around the stadiums…”
This long-term vision recognizes the potential of sports as a multibillion-naira industry that can contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP if properly harnessed. By investing in infrastructure, commercial facilities, and grassroots engagement, the government is laying the groundwork for a sports economy that can attract sponsorship, tourism, and foreign investment.
What This Means for Nigerian Youth and Sports Talent
The development of new sports facilities and the rehabilitation of old ones will have massive implications for the country’s sports talent. In the past, many Nigerian athletes—especially footballers, track and field stars, and basketball players—had to leave the country to get the training and exposure they needed to compete internationally.
With modern stadiums, mini sports centers, and commercial ecosystems around these facilities, Nigeria can now retain talent locally, improve coaching standards, and provide the infrastructure needed for high-performance training.
Furthermore, these investments will also create thousands of jobs in construction, facility management, event organization, hospitality, and security, contributing directly to Nigeria’s economic development.
Conclusion: A Sports Revolution Is Underway
From the increased budget to the concession of facilities and community-focused mini sports centers, it’s clear that a sports revolution is underway in Nigeria. With Shehu Dikko at the helm of the National Sports Commission and the firm backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigerians can look forward to a future where sports are not just recreational or competitive, but profitable, empowering, and transformative.
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, once a symbol of Nigeria’s sporting excellence, is set to rise again—fully operational and world-class—by December 2025. This marks a new beginning, not just for Abuja, but for the entire nation.
Stay tuned to NaijaRush.com for all the latest updates on Nigerian sports development, infrastructure projects, and government policy.
