Fascinating Details About The Top 10 Stadiums in Nigeria
Nigeria is known as a sport-loving country, with a significant interest in football.
Therefore the government has put in much effort to build sporting facilities that are widely accepted and have even made efforts to upgrade the older ones.
The list of top stadiums in Nigeria is ranked according to appearance, age, and sporting facilities available.
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- Stephen Keshi Stadium
Location: Delta State
It is located in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. The Delta State Government owns this multi-purpose stadium.
It was commissioned in 2018 and named in honor of Late ex Nigerian footballer and Super Eagles coach- Stephen Keshi.
It has a seating capacity of 22,000 and is used for sporting and other social events.
In 2018, the stadium hosted the African Championships in Athletics. The Stephen Keshi Stadium was formerly known as the Asaba Township Stadium, and it is one of the best stadiums in Nigeria.
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- Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium
Location: Edo State
Popularly called Ogbe Stadium, the multi-purpose complex is located in Benin City, Edo State.
It has about 20,000 seat capacity and is a home stadium to Bendel International FC, and it is mainly used to host friendly games and international matches. It is named after Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Governor of the old Bendel State.
- Sani Abacha Stadium
Location: Kano
Located in Kano, Kano State, it is the home stadium of Kano pillars FC and is mainly used for football matches.
The stadium has a seating capacity of 16,000, with an exclusive VIP viewing area.
It was commissioned in 1982 by the Nigerian Federal Government.
So far, it has hosted the 2000 African Cup of Nations, the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and several other international competitions.
- Enyimba International Stadium
Location: Abia State
This multi-purpose stadium is the home ground of Enyimba International FC and is located in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
It has a seating capacity of 16,000 with a VIP viewing area. Formerly called Aba Township Stadium was renamed Enyimba International Stadium when the Enyimba FC won the 2002 CAF Championships League.
- Yakubu Gowon Stadium
Location: Rivers State
Formerly called Liberation Stadium, it was renamed in 2015 after the former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon.
The multi-purpose sporting complex is located in the city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
It has a capacity of 16,000 seats and is the home stadium of Rivers United FC.
Top 10 Stadiums in Nigeria
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- U. J. Esuene Stadium
Location: Cross River State
This stadium is located in the city of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. It was inaugurated in 1977 and officially opened in 1997.
It has a 16,000 sitting capacity and is the home stadium of Calabar Rovers. It has hosted both international and national matches.
- Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium
Location: Enugu State
This stadium is a sporting complex located in Enugu State, Nigeria. It is the home stadium for Professional Football League, Enugu Rangers FC.
It was once owned by the Nigeria Railway Corporation and was inaugurated in 1959.
The stadium was later upgraded in 1986 by the Eastern Nigeria Government who took over from the Nigeria Railway Corporation.
It has hosted the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup ad has a sitting capacity of 22,000.
The stadium was named after the first president of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was also an Enugu State native.
- Teslim Balogun Stadium
Location: Lagos State
The Tesllm Balogun Stadium is located in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria, and has a sitting capacity of 25,000.
It was named after former Nigeria Professional Football League player Teslim Balogun and was constructed by the former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola.
The stadium is the home ground of First Bank FC and the Nigerian National rugby league team, and it has also hosted international and national matches.
Teslim Balogun Stadium is also used for religious gatherings, election campaigns, and other non-sporting events.
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- Abuja National Stadium
Location: Abuja
Known as the biggest stadium in Nigeria, it is located in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, which is Abuja.
It was constructed to host the 2003 8th All Africa Games.
In 2019, the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, renamed the Moshood Abiola Stadium in honor of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, GCFR.
The stadium has a capacity of 60,491 seats and was constructed with $360 million, known as one of the 50 most expensive stadiums globally.
The stadium is home to all Nigerian national football teams.
- Akwa Ibom International Stadium
Location: Akwa Ibom State
The Always Ibom International stadium is one of the best stadiums in Africa and the best in Nigeria, being modeled after Allianz Arena, Germany.
It was commissioned in 2014 by Godswill Akpabio, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and minister for Niger Delta Affairs currently.
The stadium was constructed in 2012 by Julius Berger Construction Company and had a sitting capacity of 30,000.
It is the home stadium of the Nigerian Super Eagles Team and Akwa United FC.
