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MKO Abiola Abuja Stadium Pitch Will Be Ready Soon- Minister

Published

6 years ago

August 24, 2019

MKO Abiola Abuja Stadium Pitch Will Be Ready Soon- Minister

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has assured that the pitch of Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja will soon be ready to host national and international matches.

He gave this assurance on Friday in Abuja, when he inspects the world-class facilities at the Abuja Stadium that is yet to host matches in the last 4 years.

Dare said that the ministry has placed the renovation of the national stadium to the state of the art facilities as top priority adding that Nigerians should expect the super Eagles play in Abuja soon.

“We are going to be innovative to see how we can get extra funding, and how we can privatize the football pitch, I don’t want to put a timeline, but it’s sufficient to say that is right at the top of our agenda, because we know it takes some time and Nigerians are interesting to See Super Eagles play in Abuja, the stadium will be ready soon” he said.

“I look at the page this afternoon and I looked at revenue-generating possibilities through advertising, we see that in international stadia where different companies advertise at the same time and a lot of revenue can come from there, we are thinking outside the box beyond what we get from our budget”.

“We can also generate some level of revenue, but the most important is for us to generate interest in the usage of this world-class facilities and once we do that it will serve as a magnet of areas that we can generate revenue.

“The fact that the velodrome is functional, that is what we should expect from all the facilities around the stadium and other facilities in the country”.

He further stated that other sports will get equal attention as football

“I understand that soccer is loved by most Nigerians, but in the same breath badminton cycling, Tennis and other sports will all get equal attention”.

“We will find a way to make sure that beyond football we will also get others sports up to speed, we have been charged to look for innovative ways to be able to generate funds for our ministry”.

Dare also used the opportunity to charged team Nigeria who are currently competing at the All Africa Games in Morocco to do the nation proud.

“We have done well in badminton, I know we are on our way to win the biggest laurel in Tennis, my message to them is that this country stands behind you and we are proud of you as an ambassador.”

“We believe in your talents and Nigeria are rooting for you, in Morocco to do us proud and I wish them the very best as they compete with other athletes from different countries” he concluded.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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