Dikko restates NSC’s plan to concession National Stadium in Lagos to the private sector

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko has reiterated his Commission’s plan to concession the National stadium in Surulere, Lagos to the private sector to rehabilitate, upgrade and turnaround the facility to a multi-purpose sporting, entertainment and commercial arena.

Dikko paid an unscheduled visit to the stadium last week and expressed sadness at the state of an edifice that hosted the African Games in 1973 and final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980.

‘It’s quite sad, that an iconic national edifice of this nature was left unattended for decades to rot to this stage inspite of its rich history and indeed potential to be a huge sporting, entertainment and commercial hub in line to the best intentional practices.

‘However, I must acknowledge the patriotic effort of philanthropist, Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu (BABA IJEBU) whom a couple of years back, under the former Minister of Sports Chief Sunday Dare ‘adopt a facility’ initiative, made a CSR contribution to revive the pitch, tracks and scoreboard of the stadium, which at least facilitated the continuation of training activities at the facility.’

‘The NSC is now working in earnest to fastrack and conclude the concessioning of the stadium as well as source other serious investors to invest in the development of the massive land available within the facility so as to achieve the desired objectives of creating a sports city within the complex.

‘The NSC is very committed and confident that within the framework of the RHINSE (Renewed Hope for Nigeria’s Sports Economy) program and indeed the overall Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu this iconic edifice and several of our national stadiums and other sporting infrastructures across the country will be brought to life through a sustainable PPP and concession program, inclusive of provision of appropriate incentives to the investors in line to the FGN Sports industry policy.

‘To this end, other stadiums such as Ahmadu Bello Stadium, kaduna, Tafawa Balewa, Stadium Bauchi, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, Nnamdi Azikwi Stadium , Enugu, would all receive adequate attention within this framework.

‘The NSC have also proposed and concluded plans in the 2025 fiscal year for the full rehabilitation of the MKO Abiola Stadium (the National Stadium Abuja) main bowl,’ wrote Dikko on his social media pages.