NIGERIA CANNOT REMAIN A ONE-STADIUM FOOTBALL NATION — NSC MUST ACT NOW

By Ohis Asein in Uyo

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, a football-loving nation with millions of passionate supporters spread across its six geopolitical zones. Yet, when it comes to hosting major international football matches involving the Super Eagles, the country increasingly finds itself operating like a one-stadium nation.

That situation deserves urgent attention.

The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo has served Nigeria well and remains one of the country's major football facilities. But the question Nigerians should be asking is: Can a country of Nigeria's size, population and football tradition genuinely afford to depend almost entirely on one stadium for its national team's international matches?

The answer should be a national conversation.

The current situation is particularly striking when Nigeria is compared with other major football nations on the continent.

According to a September 2026 update of CAF-approved stadiums, Morocco has 16 approved stadiums, South Africa 13, Algeria eight, Egypt eight and Côte d'Ivoire six.

These countries have built or maintained multiple venues capable of hosting CAF-level football, giving their national teams options across different cities.

Nigeria, meanwhile, has struggled to maintain the large network of stadiums it once possessed.

This is not because Nigeria lacks stadiums.

Nigeria has the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, National Stadium Lagos, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu, Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Ibadan, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium Port Harcourt, U.J. Esuene Stadium Calabar, among others.

The problem is that many of these facilities have not been consistently maintained to the standards required for major international matches.

A 2025 report highlighted how Nigeria's once-extensive stadium network had deteriorated to the point where Uyo was effectively carrying the country's international football burden. The report also noted that several other Nigerian stadiums could potentially return to international standard with proper rehabilitation.

WHY SHOULD THE SUPER EAGLES HAVE ONLY ONE REAL HOME?

The Super Eagles belong to every Nigerian.

From Lagos to Kano, Abuja to Port Harcourt, Benin to Enugu, Uyo to Kaduna, Nigerian supporters deserve opportunities to watch their national team.

Playing international matches in different parts of the country can also help spread the economic benefits of football, stimulate local businesses, encourage young footballers and deepen the connection between the national team and supporters.

It also provides something Nigeria desperately needs in sports administration: alternatives.

If Uyo's pitch requires maintenance, there should be another stadium ready.

If the venue is unavailable because of another major event, there should be another option.

If CAF introduces additional requirements, Nigeria should have more than one facility capable of meeting them.

A serious football nation should not be placed in a position where the failure or unavailability of one stadium creates a national crisis.

As at today many African Countries have hosted big Sporting events like the World Cup, FIFA World Club Cup, the World Relays, World Junior Athletics, Senegal about to host Junior Olympics and the most recent Kenya being named to Host 2028 World Athletics Championship.

LOOK AT WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES ARE DOING

Morocco's 18 CAF-approved stadiums demonstrate the value of developing a broad national infrastructure base. South Africa has 13, while Algeria and Egypt have eight each. Côte d'Ivoire has six.

CAF itself has repeatedly emphasized that stadium infrastructure is fundamental to the development of African football and that facilities are assessed on areas including playing surfaces, floodlights, safety, security, spectator facilities and media infrastructure.

Nigeria should therefore not merely ask: "Where can the Super Eagles play their next match?"

The bigger question should be:

"How many Nigerian stadiums can we make ready for the Super Eagles?"

NSC SHOULD THINK BEYOND UYO

This is where the National Sports Commission must come in.

The NSC has already demonstrated that stadium rehabilitation is on its agenda.

In May 2026, the Federal Government announced major sports infrastructure plans, including the redevelopment of the playing pitch and athletics track at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The same announcement said plans were at a concluding stage for the comprehensive revamping of the National Stadium Lagos through government and private investment.

That direction should be accelerated.

The Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, should be returned to full international football standard as quickly as possible.

And beyond Abuja, the National Stadium Lagos should receive the comprehensive rehabilitation required to make it a genuine international football venue once again.

Nigeria should also examine other strategic stadiums across the six geopolitical zones and establish a clear programme for getting selected facilities inspected and approved by CAF.

THIS IS AN APPEAL, NOT A CRITICISM OF UYO

The argument is not that Uyo should stop hosting the Super Eagles.

Far from it.

Uyo has provided Nigeria with an important international football venue and should remain part of the national team's options.

But Uyo should be one of several homes of the Super Eagles — not the only realistic home.

Nigeria should be able to take the national team to Abuja, Lagos, Benin, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Ibadan and other qualified venues when circumstances demand it.

Imagine a Super Eagles World Cup qualifier in Lagos.

Another international fixture in Abuja.

A major friendly in Benin.

A competitive qualifier in Port Harcourt or Enugu.

That would not only spread the national team across Nigeria; it would make Nigerians feel that the Super Eagles truly belong to the entire country.

THE APPEAL TO SHEHU DIKKO AND THE NSC

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and his team have an opportunity to change this narrative.

Nigeria does not necessarily need to build a brand-new mega stadium immediately.

The first priority should be to rescue, rehabilitate, modernise and maintain the magnificent stadiums that already exist.

The Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, should be completed to full international standard.

The National Stadium Lagos should be fully restored.

Other strategically located stadiums should be identified, renovated where necessary and presented for CAF inspection.

And, most importantly, there must be a sustainable maintenance plan after rehabilitation.

Nigeria has spent billions building stadiums in the past. The country cannot continue repeating the cycle of build, abandon, renovate and abandon again.

What Nigeria needs now is a system where stadiums are treated as national assets and maintained continuously.

NIGERIA DESERVES OPTIONS

The Super Eagles should not be a Uyo-only national team.

They are Nigeria's national team.

From the South, East to West, Nigerians deserve the opportunity to host, watch and celebrate their national team.

Morocco has 18 CAF-approved stadiums. South Africa has 13. Algeria and Egypt have eight each, while Côte d'Ivoire has six, according to the latest September 2026 figures.

Nigeria must begin building toward a similar depth of football infrastructure.

The time has come for the National Sports Commission to make the rehabilitation of Abuja, Lagos and other strategic national stadiums a matter of urgency.

Uyo has carried the burden long enough.

Now, Nigeria must give the Super Eagles more homes.

Nigeria is too big, too populous and too football-loving to remain a one-stadium football nation.