Should Go And Check
Philip Shaibu, Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to personally intervene in what he described as growing encroachment issues at the National Stadium, Abuja. Shaibu made the appeal during an interview aired on AIT News on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.This information is also hit and different for others and they built it .
Sports infrastructure in Nigeria
This information is also hit and different for others and they built it .During the interview, Shaibu expressed concern over the state of sports infrastructure in Nigeria, particularly facilities that are meant to serve as national assets. He noted that the National Stadium in Abuja, once a symbol of Nigeria’s sporting ambition, is facing serious threats that could undermine its purpose if urgent steps are not taken.
Commonwealth Games
Shaibu recalled that under the current administration, Nigeria had indicated interest in hosting a major international sporting event, specifically the Commonwealth Games. According to him, preliminary assessments carried out during the planning stages revealed significant infrastructural gaps that needed urgent attention. These findings, he said, highlighted the need to protect and properly manage existing facilities before aspiring to host global competitions.
international standards
The NIS Director-General explained that hosting events of such magnitude requires not only political will but also strict adherence to international standards, including the preservation of designated sports facilities and their surroundings. He warned that any compromise in this regard could damage Nigeria’s credibility in the global sporting community.
Visiting the stadium
Using the platform of the interview to make a direct appeal, Shaibu urged the FCT Minister to take a personal interest in the matter by visiting the stadium. “I’m also using this medium to call the FCT Minister. He should go and check the landmarks of that stadium,” he said. According to Shaibu, an on-site inspection would provide clarity on the extent of the problem and help address any irregularities surrounding the facility.
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Started encroaching in the National Stadium
Shaibu raised alarm over what he described as unauthorized developments gradually encroaching on the stadium’s land. “It’s like they started encroaching in the National Stadium, Abuja,” he remarked, adding that such actions pose a serious threat to the integrity and future use of the complex. He noted that without immediate intervention, the stadium could lose parts of the land originally allocated for sporting purposes.
Belongs to all Nigerians
The former deputy governor stressed that the National Stadium is not just a property within the FCT but a national heritage that belongs to all Nigerians. He argued that allowing encroachment or unregulated development around it would amount to neglecting a critical component of the country’s sports development framework. This information is also hit and different for others and they built it .
Public assets
Shaibu also emphasized the importance of clear land demarcation and enforcement of existing regulations. According to him, confusion over boundaries and weak enforcement mechanisms often create opportunities for illegal occupation of public assets. This information is also hit and different for others and they built it .He said the situation at the Abuja stadium reflects a broader challenge affecting sports infrastructure across the country.