Creative Industry

MKO Abiola Stadium Abuja Can Be A Major Tourist Destination If……FCT Minister

Published

6 years ago

June 18, 2020

…As FCTA, Sports Ministry partner on Stadium Rehabilitation

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has revealed that the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja can really become a major tourist destination within the country if the rehabilitation works are done properly.

To this end, the FCT Administration will partner with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for the rehabilitation of the in Abuja so that it can be utilized to its fullest potentials.

Malam Bello, made this disclosure when he received Mr. Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports in his office on Thursday, in Abuja.

According to him, the stadium is a very important public monument in Abuja which he said has not served its full potential. He said that after the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the stadium is the second most iconic public edifice in Abuja, noticeable immediately upon arrival into the city.

Speaking on working with the Sports Ministry to rehabilitate the stadium, Malam Bello said: “rehabilitating the stadium is going to be in our own joint interest, not only as an Administration but as a people … particularly now that it’s very clear that moving abroad for holidays or for short trips that were the popular pastime of many in Nigeria, is not going to be as it used to be”

“As a matter of fact, in the last two and a half months, flights have not flown out or come into this country. So, it is now that we will start to appreciate the beauty of what we have across the country. Each the time I go to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, I feel very delighted and proud that we have something like this in Nigeria”.

He advised the Sports Ministry to work out a long term sustainable plan with the private sector to open up the various facilities in the stadium for public use.

While offering the expertise of the relevant departments of the FCTA for the rehabilitation process, the FCT Minister said that attention should be focused on vegetation control, waste evacuation, and lighting. According to him, the stadium is exceptionally beautiful when lit up at night. He said that if the rehabilitation works are done properly, the stadium can really become a city within a city and be a major tourist destination within the country.

Speaking earlier, the Minister, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Dare, said that the Moshood Abiola Stadium was one of the four Federal Government stadia across the country and the Ministry is committed to ensuring that the iconic monument came back to life and full functionality for the benefit of the sporting community and the entire country.

In the words of the Sports Minister, “the stadium as it is, is not just for sportsmen and women alone. It is built in such a comprehensive way that it is a city within a city with a 5,000 capacity parking lot, a 64,000 capacity sitting arena, 54 executive suites furnished, all locked up that can be rented and given out; about nine different football practice pitches, Olympic sized swimming pool and eight massive generators. We have a stream that runs across it and a massive expanse of land to build a five-star hotel. We want to turn it into a piece of real estate and a sporting facility that will be the pride of this country and the pride of Africa and we think that the FCT will be a worthy partner”.

In attendance at the meeting were the Permanent Secretaries of the FCTA, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, and the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development Mr. Gabriel Tanimu Aduda and other senior members of staff of both organizations.

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Creative Industry

President Tinubu Hails NTDA DG for Innovative Approach to Tourism Promotion

Published

1 day ago

October 28, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has commended the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Ola Awakan, for his innovative use of immersive storytelling as a fresh and effective way to promote Nigeria’s tourism potential.

The commendation came during a courtesy visit by the NTDA Director-General to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

Tinubu praised Awakan’s initiatives in collaboration, innovation and immersive storytelling within his first year in office noting that such creative approaches are needed to better showcase the country’s tourism assets and attract global attention.

During the visit, Awakan secured the President’s endorsement for Nigeria’s participation at the 2026 World Travel Market (WTM) in London.

Speaking, Awakan observed that, “the platform will enable us to showcase the country’s destinations, build strategic partnerships and attract investment into the sector as part of broader efforts to strengthen tourism’s contribution to economic diversification.”

The NTDA Boss also briefed the President on the Authority’s ongoing initiatives to position tourism as a key driver of employment generation, investment attraction, and national development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda. Discussions also focused on the reactivation of the Presidential Council on Tourism and other measures to restructure the sector.

As part of the visit, Awakan decorated the President with the NTDA Tourism Ambassador muffler in recognition of his contributions to tourism development. He also presented a publication titled Tourism as a Strategic Instrument for Economic Diversification and National Development.

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