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ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – Following significant upgrades to the facility in preparation for the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), the Ogun State Government has officially renamed the refurbished MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta to the MKO Abiola Sports Complex.
Previously limited to a football pitch and athletics track, the complex now features a 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis, basketball, and handball courts, a digital scoreboard, a tartan track, and a hybrid football turf.
Governor Dapo Abiodun stated that the transformation of the facility aligns with the state’s goal of building a comprehensive sporting ecosystem.
He noted that the renaming reflects the expanded capacity and diverse facilities now available at the complex.
“Before the NSF, we already had plans to rename the MKO Abiola Stadium to MKO Abiola Sports Complex because it now truly qualifies as a full-fledged sporting facility”, Governor Abiodun said.
He emphasized that the state’s investment in sports infrastructure was strategic, aimed at revitalizing facilities and leveraging the NSF to boost Ogun’s economy.
“We have invested significantly to get our facilities ready, not just for the festival, but to ensure sports contribute to our state’s GDP”, he added.
Highlighting the benefits of hosting the NSF, the Governor announced that the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) has selected Ogun State to host the 2025 U-18 and U-20 African Championships in July, a role initially given to Algeria.
“This outcome aligns perfectly with our vision when we pursued the NSF hosting rights. We are now seeing the dividends”, he remarked.
Governor Abiodun also pointed out that the NSF is spurring economic activity, with full hotel bookings and increased opportunities for local traders.
He reiterated that hosting the festival was a deliberate effort to build infrastructure and foster a sports-driven economy in the state.
