The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has commenced the construction of a players’ hostel and new training pitches at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, marking a significant infrastructure development for Nigerian football.
The groundbreaking ceremony, set for Tuesday, will be performed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
The NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel, a 68-room facility, is located in Package B of the national stadium, opposite the NFF Secretariat. The structure will consist of two wings, featuring 62 single rooms, four suites, and two executive suites.
Alongside the hostel, the project will also deliver two new training pitches—one synthetic and one natural grass. Additionally, the existing synthetic pitch will be reconstructed, and new facilities will include spectator terraces with 1,838 seats, two dressing rooms for players, and two dressing rooms for officials. Each players’ dressing room will accommodate 27 players.
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The 24-month project is funded by FIFA through its FIFA Forward 3.0 program, the global football development initiative launched under FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau described the project as a game-changer for Nigeria’s national teams.
“The NFF is excited about the Players’ Hostel and new training pitches. It is a transformational project around our national teams and we are grateful to FIFA for providing the funds for these amazing facilities,” Gusau said.
“Right from the inception of the present NFF administration, we were very clear on what we wanted to do with our FIFA Forward 3.0 funds. Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management, it will substantially reduce expenditure in these areas and enable us to commit more funds to grassroots development programs.“
FIFA’s Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer and Regional Director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, also commended the initiative.
“The main objective of the Forward Programme is to ensure top-quality infrastructure that drives football development worldwide. The NFF’s transformation of its Technical Centre is a perfect example – upgrading training pitches, building modern accommodation and creating a true home for the national teams; this project is a brilliant one for Nigeria football,” Fernandes said.
“We’re proud to support and to work alongside the NFF, not only with funding but also by sharing expertise to make this project a reality. Nigeria lives and breathes football, and FIFA is committed to helping the game grow as much as we can.”
The ceremony will be attended by top dignitaries, including Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Inspector General of Police Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Alhaji Shehu Dikko.
Other invited guests include members of the Senate and House of Representatives sports committees, Nigeria Olympic Committee President Engineer Habu Gumel, former sports ministers Sunday Dare and John Enoh, and former NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi.
Nigerian football legends such as Olusegun Odegbami, Augustine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Nwankwo Kanu, Mutiu Adepoju, Samson Siasia, Victor Ikpeba, Ahmed Musa, Precious Dede, and Stella Mbachu are also expected to grace the event.
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