Whereas it was once a hub of sporting greatness, the Lagos National Stadium in Surulere has today fallen into a shadow of what it used to be, plagued by mechanics, hawkers, and neglect.
Even despite past renovation guarantees, the 45,000-capacity stadium, which was once home to iconic Nigerian football heroes, has suffered nearly two decades of disrepair. Shattered glass, malfunctioning air conditioning units, and weeds dominate what was once a premier sports venue.
In spite of a philanthropic rehabilitation effort by Sir Kessington Adebutu, efforts at reviving the stadium remain woefully inadequate. Former athletes like former international Friday Ekpo have vented their outrage at the stadium’s state of disrepair and urged the government to act fast before the stadium is irreparable.
Public opinion also mirrors this indignation, as nostalgic fans recall a time when the stadium was a site of pilgrimage for football enthusiasts. Taxi drivers grumble that it has been transformed from a center of sporting activity to a convention and social function site.
Experts of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild have also warned of potential structural risks should urgent repairs not be undertaken. While officials assure that renovation processes are ongoing, the stadium’s current state remains a somber reminder of the cost of overlooking national heritage sites.
