After almost 17 years, the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, has undergone its first renovation by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
The National Stadium, Lagos pitch, however, underwent renovation with the re-grassing of the main pitch, replacement of the scoreboard, and restoration of vandalized cables, ensuring the stadium is well-lit at night to improve security.
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The minister assured that the project was nearly finished in a statement released by the government.
“One of Nigeria’s iconic stadiums, National Stadium, Surulere is on the verge of a complete turnaround after works started on the ground courtesy of Sunday Dare’s Adopt-a-Pitch initiative.
The football stadium, which General Yakubu Gowon built in 1972, initially hosted the African Games in 1973, where Nigeria won the gold medal, and the AFCON in 1980, where the men’s national football team, then known as the Green Eagles, also won the tournament for the first time ever.
Additionally, it served as a venue for the 1999 U-20 World Cup and the 2000 AFCON, which Ghana and Nigeria jointly hosted.
Both of the major events were, however, the last to take place there before the stadium was completely deserted. After then, it became a gathering place for religious and social events, and it was taken over by hoodlums known as Area Boys, squatters, hawkers, prostitutes, and bar owners.
