Sports
Sports Minister Inspects National Stadium, Surulere, Restates Commitment to Restore Glory of Infrastructure
Says public-private partnership is key for sports development, appreciates investors.
As part of his ongoing efforts to assess the state of major sports facilities in the country, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh inspected the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Thursday.
Senator Enoh started his inspection from the stadium complex, where he visited the National Institute of Sports, the boxing complex, mainbowl of the stadium, sports medical centre, indoor sports hall and other facilities.
He also inspected the Games Village hostels, Legacy Pitch, Power House, as well as the courts for different sports.
During his briefing at the stadium, John Enoh said “this facility built around the 1960’s, has been put to use functionally, including during the 2nd All African Games (1973). It has gone through a lot.”
“This should not be the symbol of our sports in a city referred to as a sports city,” he added.
The Minister stated that he will do all it takes to bring back the glory of the facility, which was once the pride of Africa.
“I am glad that the process towards the concessioning of the facility has gone far. If that is what it will take to restore the glory of this facility, I endorse it 100 percent.”
Enoh thanked private partners like Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Chief Kessington Adebutu for their contributions towards sports development in the country. He said Nigeria remain appreciative of their investments in uplifting sports facilities in the country.
Chief Adebutu partnered the Ministry in the revamp of some facilities at the National Stadium, Surulere, while Alhaji Dangote invested in works at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Enoh said the maintenance of the facilities is necessary, not to repeat the mistakes of the past, that resulted to decadent of infrastructure.
“We must be careful and make something happen quickly, so that the facilities we have working, don’t fall into the same sorry state of shame.”
He emphasized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitments to sports development, stating that the President will continually give his support to sports, at all times.
Sports
NSC, NCC Enter Bold Alliance to Make Nigeria E-Sports Capital – From Stadium to Server
Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) is taking Nigerian sports beyond the track and pitch into the digital arena.
In a move that could redefine the future of sports development in the country, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, on Thursday led a high-powered delegation on a strategic working visit to the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Hon. Idris Olorunbe.
The meeting aimed at forging a groundbreaking partnership to accelerate sports digitalisation and position Nigerian e-sports on par with global standards.
During the meeting, Hon. Olopade made it clear that the NSC is ready to embrace technology as a core driver of growth.
“Our intention is to work closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission to improve sports science, especially e-sports, through viable sponsorship. We are counting on the NCC to help deepen connectivity and attract the kind of corporate backing that modern sports demand.”
He further emphasized the need for private sector involvement.
“Corporate Social Responsibility must play a stronger role in sports development. We cannot build a 21st-century sports ecosystem without the tech and telecommunications sectors at the table. With strong cohesion between the NSC and NCC, there will be measurable improvement in sports sponsorship and digital infrastructure.”
“The NCC has a critical role to play in making e-sports work in Nigeria. From internet speed to gaming infrastructure, their support is essential if we want our athletes to compete and win on the global stage,” the DG added.
NCC Chairman, Hon. Idris Olorunbe, responded with a strong statement that set the tone for what could become a landmark partnership:“Everything that can be done in traditional sports can also be done in e-sports. The question is not if we will do it, but how we are going to do it.”
He also highlighted the economic potential of the collaboration.
“There is huge economic value attached to this synergy. What we are trying to build goes beyond sports, it touches youth employment, digital innovation, and national branding. It is commendable that the DG has taken this step.”
Hon. Olorunbe further stressed the shared national objective driving both agencies.“The essence of this collaboration is to make our country better. For the sake of our e-sports athletes, we must build gaming hubs. We must create the environment, bandwidth, and policies that allow Nigerian talent to thrive.”
Both parties agreed to establish a joint technical working group to develop a roadmap for sports digitalisation, e-sports league structuring, and a national framework for attracting sponsors into the digital sports ecosystem.
The NSC–NCC alliance marks a significant step, potentially the first formal collaboration between Nigeria’s sports and communications regulators to build a sustainable digital sports economy.
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