Opinion divided over decision to rebuild Lagos National Stadium

Driving past the National Stadium in Lagos, one is left pondering its current state. Is it completely abandoned, serving as a refuge for destitutes, or has it become a gathering place for aspiring athletes utilizing the remnants to pursue their dreams? The stadium has been largely non-functional for more than 15 years due to the inadequate maintenance of its facilities.

In April of this year, Sunday Dare, who previously held the position of Minister of Sports under Muhammadu Buhari, took the step of temporarily closing the stadium. This decision was prompted by the collapse of one of the massive floodlights at the venue, which crumbled in the middle during a windstorm. More alarmingly, Dare disclosed that a significant portion of the stands was in a precarious condition and faced the risk of collapsing.

The current Minister of Sports Development, John Owan-Enoh, has hinted at the possibility of the Federal Government demolishing the stadium for reconstruction to restore its functionality. Owan-Enoh, who had earlier considered the concession of the facility, emphasized that the government would pursue a course of action that revitalizes the nearly dormant structure.

Regarding the economic feasibility of such a decision during the current financial constraints, opinions diverge. Latifat Adebayo-Ohio, a reporter at Making of Champions, supports the idea, asserting that the old structure with outdated architecture should be replaced with a modern stadium that can serve future generations. She also deems the last cost of remodeling the structure as unrealistic, leaving building a modern stadium as the most viable option.

However, Wale Agbede, the Head of Sports at Plus TV, holds a different perspective, opposing the reconstruction of the Lagos National Stadium. He argues that successive governments have not shown the needed commitment or investment required for its revival. Instead, he suggests exploring the option of private investment, proposing the conversion of the stadium into a multipurpose facility for commercial activities. Agbede highlights the success of similar transformations, citing Arsenal’s conversion of Highbury into a shopping plaza, emphasizing the need for a pragmatic approach to maximize the asset’s potential.