Former Director General of the Delta Sports Commission, Victor Onogagamue, has described the Federal Government’s approval of the upgrading of sports infrastructure across Nigeria as a “big relief.”
 
The Federal Government, on Tuesday, approved the rehabilitation of some major sports facilities, including the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja and the Muda Lawal Stadium in Abeokuta, which was built in recognition of one of Nigeria’s greatest football legends, Muda Lawal.
 
Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Onogagamue said that the FG’s decision is a step in the right direction.
 
“This is the way to go,” he said. “The FG should be commended for awarding the renovation and upgrade of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
 
“Similar upgrade efforts should be extended to the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos,” he added.
 
Onogagamue, a facilities expert, who is now the Chairman of the LOC (Technical Sub – Committee) of the 2nd African School Games to be hosted in 2027 in Abuja, wants long-term maintenance contracts of at least 10 years to be awarded to renowned companies to maintain our sports infrastructures across the nation.
 
According to him, the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja is long overdue for rehabilitation. “I am happy President Bola Tinubu has approved its upgrading. At least, the pressure on Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo will reduce by the time facilities at the Abuja Stadium are fully upgraded.
 
“It will be a great thing for Nigerians to see the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, given the same facelift. I was at the National Theatre, Igamu, recently, and I couldn’t believe what I saw. The National Theatre has undergone a total transformation, and it will be good to see some treatment given to the National Stadium in Lagos and some major cities,” he said.
  
Onogagamue, a former Secretary of the National Handball Association, however, urged the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure the upgrading is carried out by reputable companies, saying: “Julius Berger built the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja (Package A or Mainbow), and they can be considered for the renovation and subsequent maintenance of the facility.
 
“I am sure the NSC will monitor the upgrading of the facilities so that the Federal Government will do more,” he said.
 
The approvals for the upgrading of the stadia were ratified at the National Sports Commission (NSC) Tenders Board Meeting, where a series of major projects aimed at revamping key facilities and boosting athlete development received the green light.
   
The Moshood Abiola Stadium complex is also expected to benefit from the installation of modern floodlights that meet international standards, electronic advertising boards, protective pitch covers, and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology as Nigeria intensifies efforts to improve its readiness for major international competitions and sporting events.
 
In the past few years, the Abuja stadium pitch has come under attack due to its poor condition, which has forced the Super Eagles and other national teams to relocate to Uyo.
 
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, said on Tuesday that the tartan tracks of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, will also be rehabilitated alongside other critical sections, including dressing rooms, the media centre, VIP areas, corporate suites, public address systems, security systems, roof membrane, and cooling and heating systems.
 
Dikko described the projects as a major milestone in the country’s quest to restore its sporting glory.
   
Other projects approved include the redevelopment of a 200-bed athletes’ hostel into a modern hotel facility, rehabilitation of the swimming pool at Package B of the stadium complex, construction of two new training pitches, and the upgrade of sports medical facilities with modern equipment.