Comrade Philip Shaibu, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), has demanded that political and religious activities be immediately prohibited at the MKO Abiola National Stadium and other national stadiums throughout the nation. He has warned that the continued use of sports facilities for non-sporting events is hastening their deterioration.
In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Ben Ogbemudia, Shaibu made the request, emphasizing that stadiums were constructed solely for athletes’ training and development and should be maintained for that reason.
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is now the only venue in Nigeria that fully conforms with FIFA’s rules for hosting international matches, he said, expressing concern over the country’s dwindling number of stadiums that fulfill international standards.
The head of NIS recalled his time as Edo State’s Deputy Governor, where he oversaw the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. He claimed that intentional efforts were made to preserve the facility, particularly the athletics track, which was still covered by warranty.
He claims that after arguments with Godwin Obaseki, the previous governor of Edo State, the situation worsened and Nigerian singer Rema performed at the stadium.
According to Shaibu, the event violated the contractor’s warranty agreement and caused damage to the facility by allowing heavy cars and equipment onto the pitch.
“The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium can no longer host international matches until significant remediation work is completed,” he stated.
He called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to collaborate closely with the NIS in order to safeguard and rebuild sports facilities across the country.
