Nigeria is a sport-loving country with most of its citizens majorly interested in football. The country is also making efforts to meet the current world standards of sporting facilities by constructing new stadiums and renovating older ones.
Many arguments are springing up daily amongst Nigerians and others on which Nigerian stadium is the best when it comes to the quality of sporting facilities, appearance e.t.c, and this article was compiled to settle these kinds of arguments while also debunking rumors of which Nigerian stadium is currently the best in the country.
Without wasting more time let’s take a look at the list of the top 10 best stadiums in Nigeria. Please note that these stadiums are ranked according to their current age, state of sporting facilities, and also the overall looks of these stadiums.
Top 10 Best Stadiums In Nigeria Right Now
1) Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom International Stadium is one of the best stadiums on the African continent and obviously the best in Nigeria currently. This stadium has a 30,000-seater capacity which is not only used for sporting activities alone but other non-sporting activities such as social, cultural, and religious events.
The contract to construct this stadium was awarded to Julius Berger Construction company in 2012 and it was commissioned in 2014 by the former governor of Akwa Ibom State and present minister for Niger Delta Affairs – Godswill Akpabio. This project reportedly costs the Akwa Ibom state government about $96 million and it serves as a home stadium to the Nigerian Super Eagles Team and Akwa United FC.
The 30,000 seater ultra-modern multipurpose sports complex or stadium was modeled after Allianz Arena in Germany and it is ranked as the best stadium in Nigeria in 2020.
2) Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium is a multipurpose national sports stadium located in Abuja which is the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. The stadium which is currently used as the home stadium for all National Football Teams has a seating capacity of 60,491 and was commissioned in 2003.
This stadium is currently the largest in the whole of Nigeria and it was constructed to host the 8th All Africa Games which took place in October 2003. It was later renamed from the National Stadium, Abuja to Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja by President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2019 in honor of late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, GCFR who died on the 7th of July, 1998.
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja reportedly cost the Federal Government of Nigeria a whooping sum of $360 Million to construct. It is one of the 50 most expensive stadiums ever built in the world.
3) Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos
The Teslim Balogun Stadium is a 25,000 spectator capacity stadium that was constructed, completed, and delivered by the former governor of Lagos State and the present Federal Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola. It was named after Teslim Balogun who was a former professional Nigerian footballer in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
It is ranked as one of the best stadiums in Nigeria in terms of facilities and it is located in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. This stadium also serves as the home stadium for the Nigeria national rugby league team as well as some international football matches.
As a multipurpose sporting complex, the stadium is not only used for sporting events alone but also other non-sporting events which include shows, election campaigns, religious gatherings, and many others.
4) Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu
The Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium is also a multipurpose stadium or sporting complex which is located in Enugu, Nigeria. It is mostly used for football matches and serves as the home stadium for Nigerian Professional Football League side, Enugu Rangers F.C.
It currently has a sitting capacity of around 22,000 and the stadium was named after the first president of the Republic of Nigeria – Nnamdi Azikiwe who was also a native of Enugu State.
The stadium was inaugurated in 1959 and was once owned by Nigeria Railway Corporation. It was later upgraded and refurbished in 1986 by the defunct Eastern Nigeria Government who took over the management of the venue from the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).
It is ranked as the 4th best Nigerian stadium and it was one of the hosting stadiums of the FIFA U-17 World Cup which was held in Nigeria in the year 2009.
5) U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar
U. J. Esuene Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium which is located in the capital city of Calabar, Cross River State, South-southern Nigeria. It was officially opened for use in 1997 and currently has a sitting capacity of around 16,000.
The stadium was inaugurated in 1977 and it currently serves as the home stadium for Nigeria National League side, Calabar Rovers, and previously Dolphins F.C. (Port Harcourt). It is ranked as the 5th best stadium in Nigeria and one of the best in Africa.
6) Yakubu Gowon Stadium (Liberation Stadium), Port Harcourt
The Yakubu Gowon Stadium (formerly Liberation Stadium) is a multi-purpose sporting complex which is located in Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, Nigeria. It is mostly used for football matches and serves as the home stadium of Nigerian Professional Football League side, Rivers United F.C. which was formerly Dolphins F.C.
This stadium currently has a seating capacity of 16,000 and it was renamed in 2015 from Liberation Stadium to Yakubu Gowon stadium in honor of the former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon.
7) Enyimba International Stadium, Aba
The Enyimba International Stadium is another multipurpose stadium which is located in Aba city, Abia State, Nigeria. It currently serves as a home ground of Nigeria Professional Football League side, Enyimba International F.C.
This stadium was renamed in 2002 as Enyimba International Stadium from Aba Township Stadium in honor of Enyimba F.C. when they triumphed in the 2002 CAF champions league. The Enyimba International stadium which has once hosted the CAF Champions League finals currently has a seating capacity of 16,000 (according to Wikipedia) with a special VIP viewing portion.
It is currently ranked as the 7th best stadium in Nigeria and one of the largest stadiums in the country.
8) Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano
The Sani Abacha Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Kano, Kano State, Nigeria which is currently used mostly for football matches and also sometimes for athletics. It is also currently the home ground of Kano Pillars FC and has a seating capacity of more than 16,000 with a VIP viewing area inclusive.
This stadium was commissioned in 1982 by the then Federal Government of Nigeria and it has hosted several international competitions including the 2000 African Cup of Nations and the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano is currently ranked as the 8th best stadium in Nigeria and one of the notable stadiums in Western Africa.
9) Samuel Ogbemudia (Ogbe) Stadium, Benin City
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium which is widely known as “Ogbe” Stadium is a multi-purpose sporting complex located in the capital city of Benin, Edo State, South-southern Nigeria. It currently has a seating capacity capped at 20,000 people and It is named after the two-time Governor of the old Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia.
Ogbe Stadium currently serves as the home stadium of Bendel Insurance FC and it is occasionally used to host international matches and friendly games.
10) Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba
The Stephen Keshi Stadium is a Delta state government-owned multipurpose stadium which is located in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. It was commissioned in 2018 by the Delta State Government and was named in honor of Late ex Nigerian footballer and National Team coach – Stephen Keshi.
It currently has a seating capacity of 22,000 people and it is used for sporting, cultural, social, and other events. The stadium hosted the 2018 African Championships in Athletics and it was formerly known as the Asaba Township Stadium before the name change.
The Stephen Keshi Stadium is one of the best stadiums in Nigeria when it comes to sporting facilities and seating capacity. It occupies the 10th and last spot on this list of the best stadiums in Nigeria.
Conclusion
In this article, we shared a comprehensive list of the best stadiums in Nigeria this year. Some of these stadiums are built to world standards and they’re often used to host some international and friendly football matches and other sporting activities.
What do think about this list of the best Nigerian stadiums? Did we miss any good Nigerian stadium or sporting complex? Let us know via the comment section below.
