Numa Challenges NSC, Demands Accountability Over Abuja Stadium Rehabilitation,Others

The Unapologetic Masses Advocacy Movement has challenged National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko to account for public spending on sports infrastructure, raising concerns over the rehabilitation of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, abandoned projects and the persistent deterioration of public sporting facilities.

The group, led by Ebbyzymore Inmohtap Numa, made the demand in a document titled “Talk Is Cheap: Reminder of Your Pronouncements from League to Federation to NSC,” dated October 8, 2026.

It called on Dikko to provide verifiable evidence of progress on commitments made during his years in football administration, insisting that public spending on sports infrastructure must deliver functional, sustainable and commercially viable facilities.

A major concern is the proposed ₦203.6 billion sports budget for 2026, which reportedly includes ₦18.775 billion for the first phase of rehabilitation of the main bowl at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium and ₦5.8 billion for a High Performance Centre within the complex.

Numa demanded disclosure of the projects’ contractors, implementation schedules, expenditure records and long-term maintenance arrangements, arguing that budgetary allocations and official announcements must be matched by measurable results.

NPFL Commercialisation Under Scrutiny

The advocacy group also revisited Dikko’s tenure as chairman of the League Management Company (LMC) from 2013 to 2022, questioning the progress made towards his ambition of transforming the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) into a commercially sustainable competition.

It highlighted persistent concerns over broadcasting, club finances, players’ welfare and revenue generation, while demanding explanations for the limited impact of the Next TV broadcasting initiative unveiled in 2019.

According to the group, the success of efforts to commercialise the domestic league should be assessed through improved match coverage, stronger commercial partnerships, increased revenue and greater financial stability for clubs.

It called for clearer reporting on the outcomes of initiatives introduced during Dikko’s time in football administration and their lasting impact on the domestic game.

Stadium Rehabilitation and Maintenance Questions

Numa also questioned the pace of stadium rehabilitation under the NSC, seeking updates on the Abuja stadium pitch, the proposed construction of 100 mini-stadiums and plans for six major stadiums across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

The group warned that Nigeria risked repeating a cycle of expensive rehabilitation projects followed by deterioration if adequate maintenance funding and management structures were not established.

It specifically raised questions about the Dangote Group-supported Adopt-A-Pitch initiative at the Abuja stadium, requesting audited accounts, details of completed works and explanations for what it described as a failure to achieve lasting results.

The claims concerning the initiative’s outcomes and the certification status of sports facilities require independent verification and supporting documentation.

Numa Advocates Local Pitch Technology

As part of its proposed solution, the movement urged the NSC to assess locally developed pitch technologies associated with Monimichele Sports Facilities Construction Company.

It cited facilities such as Remo Stars Stadium and Samson Siasia Stadium as examples for consideration and proposed pilot projects in Abuja and Bayelsa.

The group recommended an independent assessment comparing construction costs, playing-surface quality, durability and long-term maintenance requirements to determine whether locally developed solutions could offer better value for public investment.

It argued that decisions on pitch construction and rehabilitation should be guided by independently verified performance, lifecycle costs and suitability for Nigerian conditions rather than assumptions about the superiority of any particular technology.

Calls for Transparency and Sustainable Funding

Beyond individual projects, the advocacy movement called for the publication of contracts, expenditure records and project implementation reports, alongside the establishment of a dedicated stadium maintenance fund.

It also questioned how the NSC intends to finance its proposed stadiums, community sports centres and other infrastructure projects while existing public facilities continue to face maintenance challenges.

Numa argued that stadiums should be developed as commercially viable assets capable of generating income through hotels, retail outlets, conference facilities and other complementary activities.

Such revenue-generating arrangements, the group maintained, could help reduce dependence on repeated government funding while supporting routine maintenance and long-term operational sustainability.

The movement insisted that the success of Nigeria’s sports infrastructure programme should be measured by the delivery of functional facilities that remain operational, rather than the size of budgetary allocations or the frequency of project announcements.

The NSC’s response, together with relevant contracts, expenditure records and implementation reports, would be necessary to establish the current status of the projects and address the questions raised.

For Dikko and the commission, the central issue is how planned investments in sports infrastructure will translate into lasting benefits for Nigerian athletes, clubs and communities, supported by transparent spending, effective oversight and sustainable maintenance arrangements.