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FCT FA Chair Wants MKO Abiola Stadium Super Eagles Fortress

Published

5 years ago

July 9, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The Chairman of Federal Capital Territory Football Association, FCT FA, Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed has stated that the MKO Abiola Stadium should be the fortress for Nigeria Super Eagles urging the government to ensure the stadium is given proper attention to come back to life.

The National Teams have not played in Abuja stadium for several years due to the bad pitch.

It will be recalled since he assumed office Mouktar has been the canvas for the renovation of the stadium and has even vowed to supports any initiative to get the Super Eagles to return to play at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

Mouktar, repeated this on Tuesday in Abuja while reacting to questions during a virtual interview session on FCT Football he said it’s unfortunate that National Team especially Super Eagles doesn’t have a home.

According to him, unfortunately, the Super Eagles don’t have a home they call theirs which is unfortunate. But we must find a fortress and I think Abuja should be the fortress and importantly there’s been a lot of talk about concessioning the stadium which is very dear to me.

“I think that whoever is responsible for the concessioning of the Stadium must take into account to give the stadium to a football-focused group, not to a real estate group that sees it as a place to just build a hotel or build houses and land grab. We want a football-focused group who see football as prime, who see that stadium as a national monument–a treasure, an icon that represents our football.

“Likewise, the Lagos Stadium in Surulere. I hear there are a lot of things going on with the concession. We must ensure that it’s an open, transparent process and everybody is given a chance to contribute as stakeholders to how these two stadiums should be concessioned. I tell you the moment they’re given to the wrong hands, and then we’re in to destroy a national monument so we must ensure that the national stadium stays in the hands of patriotic, football-minded, football-focused people that love football and sacrifice for football.”

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

Published

1 week 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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