Sports
Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders Sue FCT Minister Over Withheld Information on Abandoned Sports Centre
The Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders, through their solicitors, have approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over the refusal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to grant them access to information under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
The legal action followed a formal request made to the Honourable Minister of the FCT in a letter dated 28 November 2025, seeking information on the present status of the Gwagwalada Sports Centre project, which has reportedly been abandoned for over 10 years.
According to the stakeholders, the request was made pursuant to Sections 1, 2, 4 and 7 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. They stated that despite complying with the provisions of the Act, no response or information was provided by the FCT administration.
In the letter submitted through their solicitors, Babatunde Akintade Legal Consult, the stakeholders requested access to information relating to the status and contract details of the sports facility, also known as the Gwagwalada Mini-Stadium. They noted that the project falls under the jurisdiction of the Gwagwalada Area Council and has been “abandoned” or “stalled,” reflecting a wider trend of uncompleted grassroots sports infrastructure across the FCT.
The stakeholders emphasized the importance of the facility, citing its significant potential for youth development and community engagement in Gwagwalada. They are therefore seeking clarification and official documentation on the current state of the project, including details of contracts awarded and actions taken so far.
Speaking on the matter, the council’s solicitor, Barrister Babatunde Akintade, said the request was aimed at ascertaining the true status of the project, stressing that its prolonged abandonment has negatively affected football development in Gwagwalada and the FCT at large.
The Gwagwalada Sports Centre is reportedly one of six sports facilities initiated in 2015 that are yet to be completed nearly ten years later. The delay, according to the stakeholders, has forced youths in the area to rely on other sporting facilities that are either inadequate or not readily accessible.
The matter is now before the Federal High Court as the stakeholders seek enforcement of their right to information under the FOI Act and renewed attention to grassroots sports development in the FCT.
Sports
Game Changer: ₦40 Billion Infusion Set to Revolutionize Nigerian Football
Joel Ajayi
Nigerian football is on the cusp of a major transformation, thanks to a groundbreaking ₦40 billion investment from Toptier Sports Management.
The 10-year strategic investment is set to supercharge the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) and the Nigeria National League (NNL), marking a seismic shift in the country’s domestic football landscape.
“This is a long-term investment in structure, people, and possibilities,” said Chichi Nwoko, Founder of Toptier Sports Management.
“If Nigerian football is going to truly compete, it must be built deliberately, funded properly, and managed professionally. That is what this ₦40 billion commitment represents.”
Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC) said “this ₦40 billion commitment is a clear vote of confidence in the reforms taking place across Nigerian sports. At the Commission, we are intentional about creating an environment where credible private investors can partner with government to build sustainable leagues, protect athlete welfare, and grow the sports economy.”
Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, President, Nigeria Football Federation stated that “the NFF welcomes this collaboration because it strengthens our domestic football ecosystem, improving player welfare, enhancing club operations, and creating clear development pathways, particularly for women and emerging talents. This is how we build a future-ready Nigerian football system.”
The massive investment will drive league commercialization, club development, player welfare, and grassroots expansion, setting the stage for a brighter future for Nigerian football.
“We would like to sincerely thank the Director General of the National Sports Commission and the President of the Nigeria Football Federation for their leadership, support, and belief in a private-sector-led future for Nigerian sports,” Nwoko added.
League officials have hailed the deal as a turning point, shifting Nigerian football from short-term funding cycles to sustainable institution-building over the next decade.
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