The Federal and Kaduna State Governments have formalised plans to transform the Ahmadu Bello Stadium into a world-class sports facility, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday.
The agreement, endorsed by presidential approval, transfers the stadium to the Kaduna State Government for immediate rehabilitation, expanding its seating capacity from 12,000 to 32,000.
Malam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), signed for the federal body, while Gov. Uba Sani represented Kaduna State, according to a statement by Kehinde Ajayi, NSC Director of Media & PR.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dikko highlighted the rapid growth of Nigeria’s sports sector under President Bola Tinubu.
“No fewer than 373 medals were won across sports in 2025, while over 140,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs were created,” he said.
He emphasised that the value of sports extends beyond medals, noting that the sector now contributes to national economic growth. “Sports is now measured beyond medals, with a target of contributing at least three per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually. One per cent GDP contribution was achieved in the last two quarters of the previous year,” Dikko said.
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Infrastructure, he noted, is central to sustaining Nigeria’s sports economy and fostering both elite and grassroots development.
“The commission adopted a strategy of partnering the public and private sectors to upscale facilities nationwide. We commend the Kaduna governor for aligning with the Federal Government’s vision by taking over and commencing redevelopment of the stadium. The governor has moved to the site and has started major works following presidential approval. The project aligns with the sports city vision, with Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, serving as a pilot,” Dikko said.
He further revealed that President Tinubu had approved the establishment of the National Sports Infrastructure Development Board, tasked with mobilizing funds for revamping and constructing world-class sports facilities across the country.
“The Federal Government targets at least one world-class facility in each of the six geopolitical zones,” he added, noting ongoing discussions regarding projects in Lagos, Bauchi, and Ibadan, as well as upgrades in other states.
Governor Sani lauded the NSC’s leadership for repositioning Nigerian sports and described the redevelopment as transformative.
“The old structure has been demolished to pave the way for a new state-of-the-art stadium. It will have a 32,000 seating capacity, attracting top international sporting events to Kaduna State,” he said.
Sani also highlighted the broader economic benefits of the project. “It will boost sports tourism and stimulate economic activities. I am optimistic that the project will be completed within eight months as work is ongoing round the clock to meet the completion target. I pledge my administration’s support to the NSC to realise the Federal Government’s sports development vision,” he said.
The governor described the Sports Infrastructure Development Board as a “game changer” that would position Nigeria among leading sporting nations and reaffirmed Kaduna State’s commitment to harnessing the economic potential of sports for national development.
