NSC, Kaduna Government Seal Landmark MoU on Redevelopment of Ahmadu Bello Stadium into 32,000-Capacity Arena
The National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Kaduna State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding transferring ownership of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS) to the state government for immediate rehabilitation.
The agreement, endorsed by Presidential approval, will see the historic stadium transformed from its current 12,000-seat capacity into a modern 32,000-capacity facility.
The signing ceremony was led by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, representing the Commission, and His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State.
In his remarks, Mallam Dikko praised the unprecedented support Nigerian sports has received under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that 2025 alone delivered 373 medals across all sports and created over 140,000 jobs.
He emphasized that sports are now positioned as a driver of the national economy, with a target contribution of at least 3% to Nigeria’s GDP annually. He explained that the redevelopment of ABS is part of a wider strategy to upscale infrastructure nationwide, with Kaduna being the first state to align with the President’s vision.
He also announced the establishment of a National Sports Infrastructure Development Bond to fund similar projects across the country, with Lagos, Bauchi, and Ibadan among the next stadiums slated for upgrades.
Governor Uba Sani, in his response, commended the NSC Chairman for repositioning Nigerian sports and expressed pride that Kaduna State was at the forefront of this transformation.
He outlined his administration’s vision to redevelop ABS into a world-class stadium capable of hosting top international sporting events, thereby boosting economic activity and sports tourism in the state.
He confirmed that the new facility will double its capacity to 32,000, making it second only to Abuja in size, and announced a commissioning target of eight months. He pledged full support to the NSC in actualizing the President’s mandate, describing the Sports Infrastructure Development Bond as a game changer that will place Nigeria among the leading sporting nations globally.
