Sowore Lambasts Govt For Abandoning $360m Stadium In Abuja, Leaving It To Rot

Human rights activist and candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday, condemned the Nigerian Government for abandoning Moshood Abiola National Stadium and leaving it to rot.

The construction cost of the stadium was $360 million when it was built.

Then-President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2009 officially opened the 60,000-seat national stadium that was the centrepiece of the 8th All Africa Games.

President Obasanjo described the stadium as a symbol of peace and unity through sports in Nigeria, Africa and the whole world.

After inspecting the facilities, Obasanjo called for the need to maintain the stadium as a national monument.

Many Nigerians criticised the stadium project as a misappropriation of government funds when the money could go toward medical and social care and improving overall infrastructure. But President Obasanjo defended the project at its opening ceremony, saying it had generated employment for many Nigerians and sharpened the skills of Nigerians who participated in its construction.

However, Sowore lamented that the sporting facility which attracted the home-based Super Eagles of Nigeria and other important games had been abandoned and left to rot.

Sowore on Tuesday posted some videos taken at the dilapidated facility on his social media handle.

He reminded the public that Cote d’Ivoire was hosting the Africa Cup of Nations with decent stadiums, with a fourth mainland bridge completed in Abidjan and clean streets, while Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja was an eyesore.

“The country known as Cote D’Ivoire is hosting the African Cup of National with decent stadia, a fourth mainland bridge completed in Abidjan and clean streets, here is the so-called Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja’s swimming pool with sewage seeping out all around, the place looks abandoned. Who is the Minister of Sports again?”