Sports

SPORTS MINISTER INSPECTS NATIONAL STADIUM, SURULERE LAGOS

Published

3 years ago

September 1, 2023

…Identifies public-private partnership as key to sports development
In continuation of his inspection tour of sporting facilities across the country, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh has inspected the facilities at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

He stated that the tour he is undertaking informs the commitment of the present administration towards the development of sports in the country.

Senator Enoh who disclosed this while addresssing the media shortly after the inspection of the facilities today, explained that sports is a peculiar sector that exerts so much passion in all Nigerians. This passion he added, led to the decision of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make the sector stand alone and also appointed him to pilot its affairs.

He explained further that the facility which was built in the 60’s, has been put to use functionally in previous competitions, including the 2nd All African Games in 1973.

Thus, if resuscitated, it will provide opportunity for the athletes not only to develop themselves but also showcase their sporting talents, thereby competiting favourably with their counterparts globally through podium finishes.

The Minister restated the Federal Government’s committment to the revitalization of the sporting facilities across the country in order to bring it back to its former glory, saying *we will do all it takes to bring back the glory of the sporting facilities across the nation with a view to providing our athletes with an enabling environment to thrive in their various sporting endeavours.

Senator Enoh who stated that the process of concessioning of the National Stadium, Surulere has gone far, added that if that is what it will take to restore the glory of the facility, he endorses it 100 percent.

He noted that President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration identifies with the private sector, especially those who collaborate and join hands with government in resuscitating the dilapidated sporting facilities.

He therefore thanked private partners like Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Chief Kessington Adebutu for their contributions towards sports development in the country, adding that Nigeria appreciates their efforts and investments in uplifting some of the sporting facilities in the country.

Senator Enoh informed that both Chief Kessington Adebutu and Aliko Dangote collaborated with the Ministry in the resuscitation of some facilities at the National Stadium, Surulere as well as the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The Minister therefore called on all relevant stakeholders, sports loving Nigerians, and the media in particular through positive reportage, to join hands with the Federal Government in ensuring a turn around of the sector, not only through infrastructure upgrade but grassroots sports development for the socio-economic growth and development of the country.

Enoh who was accompanied on the facility tour by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, Director General, National Institute of Sports, Prof. Olawale Moronkola, some Directors of the Ministry as well as one time Football Legend, Daniel Amokachi, inspected the boxing complex, mainbowl of the stadium, sports medical centre, indoor sports hall, Games Village hostels, Legacy Pitch, the National Institute of Sports, (NIS),Power House, as well as the courts for different sports.

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Sports

NSC, NCC Enter Bold Alliance to Make Nigeria E-Sports Capital – From Stadium to Server

Published

3 hours ago

April 17, 2026

The Gleamer

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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