Abuja national stadium upgrade to consume N24.6bn as sports budget triples in 2026

The Federal Government is set to spend N24.642bn on the rehabilitation of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, from the N203.6bn allocation proposed for the National Sports Commission (NSC) in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, Sport360NG reports.

President Bola Tinubu last year presented a N58.18tn “Budget of Restoration” to the National Assembly, with funding for sports rising sharply. The proposed allocation for the sector represents a 300 per cent increase on the N78bn provided in 2025, reflecting plans for extensive infrastructure projects and Nigeria’s participation in major international competitions.

NSC chairman Shehu Dikko had earlier indicated that work on the Abuja stadium would begin before the end of 2025 as part of a broader drive to revive Nigeria’s sports infrastructure.

Commissioned in 2003 under the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, the stadium has struggled to meet international standards in recent years. Despite renovations carried out between 2020 and 2022, the facility has been deemed unsuitable to host the senior national teams and major competitions.

As part of the earlier refurbishment, former sports minister Sunday Dare secured a $1m contribution from industrialist Aliko Dangote for the restoration of the main bowl. The project, executed by local contractors under a public-private partnership arrangement, included the installation of Pure Dynasty Paspalum grass, two digital scoreboards, 24 sprinklers, nursery beds and a two-year maintenance plan.

However, the pitch deteriorated within a year of being handed over to the Federal Government, forcing the Super Eagles to relocate their home fixtures to Uyo. Nigeria’s last match at the stadium was a 1–0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on March 24, 2023, after which then coach José Peseiro and several players criticised the playing surface.

Under the 2026 budget proposal, the NSC has earmarked N18.775bn for the first phase of rehabilitation and upgrading of the stadium’s main bowl. A further N5.8bn has been allocated for the completion of a high-performance centre for athletes, while N65m is set aside for internet bandwidth and fibre-optic connectivity across the stadium and other key national sports facilities. An additional N15.5bn has been proposed for the construction of a sports secretariat within the stadium complex.

The Moshood Abiola National Stadium was built at a cost of $360m between 2000 and 2003 to host the 8th African Games. It has a seating capacity of 60,491, covered by a lightweight roof structure.

Beyond infrastructure, the NSC has also budgeted N4.223bn for Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, scheduled for July 23 to August 2. Preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles are expected to cost N5.105bn, while participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy has been estimated at N1bn.

In football, the commission plans to spend N14.2bn on Nigeria’s involvement in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and other FIFA competitions for the men’s and women’s national teams.