The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has advocated for the swift cessation of political and religious activities at the MKO Abiola National Stadium and other national stadiums throughout the nation, cautioning that the ongoing usage of sports venues for non-sporting events is hastening their decline.
Shaibu communicated this appeal in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Ben Ogbemudia, emphasizing that stadiums were constructed primarily for the training and enhancement of athletes and must be safeguarded for that intent.
He voiced worries regarding the diminishing quantity of stadiums in Nigeria that satisfy international criteria, mentioning that the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is currently the sole facility in the nation that fully adheres to the standards established by FIFA for hosting international competitions.
The NIS leader recalled his period as Deputy Governor of Edo State, during which he oversaw the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, noting that intentional efforts were made to uphold the facility, particularly the athletics track which was under warranty at that time.
As per him, the condition later declined following disputes with former Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, which resulted in the stadium being utilized for a concert by Nigerian artist Rema.
Shaibu mentioned that the event allowed heavy vehicles and equipment onto the field, leading to damage to the facility and breaching the contractor’s warranty agreement.
“Currently, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is unable to host international competitions unless significant repair efforts are conducted,” he remarked.
He called upon the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to collaborate closely with the NIS to safeguard and rejuvenate sports infrastructure across the country.
