NIS DG Philip Shaibu calls for ban on political, religious use of national stadiums nationwide
By Uzor Odigbo
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has called for a ban on political and religious activities at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja and other national stadiums across the country.
Shaibu warned that the continued use of sports infrastructure for non-sporting activities has significantly contributed to the deterioration of many stadiums nationwide.
He emphasized that these facilities were built for the training, retraining, and development of Nigerian athletes and must be preserved for that purpose.
In a press statement signed by his media aide, Ben Ogbemudia, the NIS boss lamented that the practice has left Nigeria with very few stadiums meeting international standards. He noted that the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo remains the only facility in the country that fully meets FIFA requirements for hosting international matches.
Drawing from his experience as Deputy Governor of Edo State, where he oversaw sports and the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Shaibu said deliberate efforts were made during his tenure to preserve the facility—particularly the athletics track, which was under warranty with the contractor.
However, he explained that the situation changed after disagreements with former Governor Godwin Obaseki, leading to approval for singer Rema’s homecoming concert at the stadium.
Shaibu said the event allowed heavy vehicles and equipment onto the pitch and tracks, damaging the facility and breaching the contractor’s warranty agreement.
“Today, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium can no longer host international matches unless major remediation works are carried out,” he said.
Shaibu urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to collaborate with the NIS in protecting and restoring sports infrastructure nationwide.
He also renewed his call for the immediate reconstitution of the NSC board to strengthen the management, maintenance, and preservation of sports facilities across the country.
The NIS DG stressed that protecting sports infrastructure is critical to the future of Nigerian youth, adding that sports remain a major platform for youth empowerment and national unity.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for youth development and sports growth can only be realized if the country begins treating its sports facilities as strategic national assets.
According to Shaibu, safeguarding stadiums and investing in sports development will not only help discover and nurture young talents but also restore Nigeria’s pride in international competitions.
