Amidst rising concerns that the National Stadium is yet to regain its actual fortitude despite the supposed huge resources allocated to it, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, asserted that fixing the edifice is an enormous task to complete within a short range of time. Construction of the stadium under two years impossible, according to the minister, not only because the stadium is vast but because the project has only received a small fraction of the huge resources needed to fund it.
In an interview with journalists at an inspection of the stadium, Mr. Dare affirmed that the rot in the edifice began 18 years ago — a long time before he became Minister. A journey of redemption began for the purpose of reshaping the National Stadium, in his two and half years of office. However, he affirmed the impossibility of completely fixing the rot within the time frame of two years as it takes certain processes. Even with provision of the exact amount of resources needed for the project, it is necessary that what is to be done is well understood.
Total budget for renovation has increased to N45bn.
The National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria, is a multipurpose stadium, inaugurated in December 8, 1972. It has an Olympic size swimming space and multipurpose arena that serves the purpose of athletics, basketball, table tennis, boxing matches, rugby, volleyball, and wrestling. Until 2004, the stadium was mostly used for football matches. It served as a facility for the country’s premier sports, displaying Nigeria’s passion for sports while building athletic excellence. It hosted many cultural and international activities.
According to the Minister’s words, he is focused on playing his role in restoring the National Stadium back in shape. With this, he decided to share some details of his efforts. The total budget for complete renovation of the stadium is N21 billion but only N400 million was generated with a little addition of the ministry’s budget allocations. The strained economy has caused an increase in the amount required for renovating the sports stadium. As a result, the three years’ budget allocation of N21 billion has increased to N45 billion.
Over 108 illegal structures occupied the stadium.
Exchange rate when the renovation began was between 400 and 450 but now, it has risen beyond these rates. The Ministry operates according to the Nigerian economy and exchange rates however difficult it might seem in the sports system. Mr. Dare said he has appealed to sponsors, putting his good will and reputation on the line but they are yet to turn up. Despite the situation, he assured that some things have been put in place and some prospects can still be achieved with ongoing innovations.
At the beginning of Mr. Dare’s administration, he said the stadium was abandoned, with hundreds of people always drinking and partying. It has over 108 illegal structures and was looking more like a marketplace rather than a stadium. The aim of the administration was to return the stadium to its original architectural design. To achieve this, over 98 illegal shops were brought down — this action led to an attack against the minister and protests from the people. After the demolition, the ministry put things in order with the limited resources available.
Efforts are continually being made to improve the stadium’s condition.
There is a strong belief by the ministry that the stadium will be fully revamped soon, with the accurate positioning of the natural grass, electronic board and almost completed laying of the tartan tracks. This belief is on the basis of the ministry’s successful renovation of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja — financed by Aliko Dangote — and Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, fully bankrolled by the government. The efforts made by the ministry in Lagos National Stadium has moved its condition in the right direction.
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Renovation of Lagos Stadium needs funds. – The historic national edifice has been abandoned for 18 years. – Express your point of view.
The national stadium is the stadium of most importance in Nigeria. Unfortunately it has been neglected for a long time and now it needs renovation. The funds directed to it must not be squandered, but adequate and well accountable for.
It amaze how our national treasure are been wasted without more efficient from the government to make them come to live.The main problem is corruption and this this has eating deep in the life’s of the government officials that suppose to put in the effort.According to this article,they mentioned 45billion as if it a small money whereas if the stadium is giving out on a concession agreement,the budget will 65% of the amount mentioned.The corruption level as kill lots of things in the system.
The historic national edifice has been abandoned for 18 years. Very shameful to hear, government need to hide their face in shame. You can imagine, go check the stadium is nothing to write home about. And we have government and minister of sports who don’t even understand the work of minister of sports.
The renovation of a national stadium is a major undertaking that requires significant funding. Whether it’s through government funding, public-private partnerships, or other avenues, finding the resources needed to renovate the stadium is crucial to ensuring that it remains a world-class facility
This is so bad the national stadium as been abandon for 18 good years we need to renovate it to make it as new so it can continue carry it name as national stadium
Our national stadium should not left in such bad shape. More funds should be allotted to complete the stadium and the time frame should be extended to avoid rushing that could eventually lead to bad work in the process of renovating.
Eyyy our nigerian government will always look for means to embezzle our funds, even if they eventually get the funds, they will not do a good job
Considering how important we are in Africa, it’s a shame that this massive stadium has garnered such a tiny share of the enormous funding it needs.
For years we have not had a standard project and that is very bad because it also affects the ways our football players perform for us, I hope we work on this soon.
It’s a shame that We can’t boast of a good football stadium that is very bad, our useless government embezzles all the funds meant to go into building things like this. Sad
Nigeria lack maintenance culture. How can such magnificent edifice be abandon without maintenance nor repair. For the pass 18 years the national stadium of the country was left to rot. I hope the Federal government will work towards renovating the stadium and give it a facelift.
Management culture has being a major problem of our Government. It is completely lacking in the system, that is why a magnificent edifice such as the Lagos national Stadium can be abandon for 18 year. It will be proper if policies are enacted to correct such anomaly in the system. Anyways, government should do the needful to give the structure a facelift.