ABUJA — Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Budget of Restoration,” the National Sports Commission (NSC) has expended approximately ₦877 million on the perimeter fencing of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The project is a key component of a massive ₦24.6 billion renovation plan for the stadium, which President Tinubu presented as part of the ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly. This fiscal year has seen a 300% surge in sports sector funding, with the NSC’s total allocation jumping to ₦203.6 billion.
The ₦877 million fencing expenditure targets “Package A & B” of the stadium, aimed at curbing persistent security breaches and facility encroachment. It follows a prior ₦1.7 billion appropriation for similar security infrastructure in the 2024/2025 cycles.
The Tinubu administration has defended the high spending as essential for restoring the stadium to international standards, after years of deterioration forced the Super Eagles to play home fixtures abroad. The 2026 plan also includes:
- ₦18.8 billion for the rehabilitation of the main bowl.
- ₦5.8 billion for the completion of a high-performance centre for athletes.
- ₦15.5 billion for a new national sports secretariat.
While the administration emphasizes that these investments will modernize sports infrastructure, critics have raised concerns over transparency. Stakeholders have called for a detailed breakdown of the ₦877 million fencing contract to ensure value for money amidst the country’s broader economic reforms.
The National Sports Commission, now led by Mallam Shehu Dikko following its reinstatement by the President, maintains that the upgrades are vital for Nigeria’s hosting bids for upcoming international events.
