Governor Sule Unveils Plan for Olympic-Sized Stadium in Lafia
by Momodu Favour
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has unveiled plans to construct a new Olympic-sized stadium in Lafia, pledging to complete the project before the end of his current tenure.
The governor made the announcement shortly after the final match of the 2025 Nasarawa State Governor’s Football Cup held at the Lafia City Stadium.
He said the initiative forms part of his administration’s broader strategy to reposition the state as a hub for sports development and youth empowerment.
In a statement issued by Eche Amos, Head of Public Relations, State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the government outlined its intention to overhaul sporting infrastructure across the state.
According to the statement, the existing Lafia City Stadium has become overstretched due to the growing number of sporting activities, making comprehensive renovation increasingly difficult.
Governor Sule explained that rather than merely renovating the current facility, the state is considering the construction of a brand-new, state-of-the-art complex.
“The ultimate goal here is not just to renovate the Lafia City Stadium, but to rebuild the entire facilities.
My administration is already considering constructing a brand new sporting facility in the State Capital, an Olympic-size Stadium which we believe will serve as a crucible for nurturing excellence and empowering our young athletes to scale national and international heights,” he said.
He added that the proposed stadium would be designed to host major national and international tournaments, including matches involving Nigeria’s national teams, a move expected to attract investment and further boost the state’s economy.
The announcement came as Karu Local Government Area emerged champions of the 2025 Governor’s Cup, defeating Wamba Local Government Area 3–0 in a thrilling final.
Ewa Samuel netted two goals, while Chinedu Okorie sealed the victory with a third goal, earning Karu the ₦5 million star prize. Wamba received ₦3 million as runners-up.
Keffi Local Government Area secured third place after overcoming Keana Local Government Area 2–0 in the bronze medal match.
Individual honours were also presented at the tournament. Maji Amos of Karu was named Best Goalkeeper, Paul Bako of Keffi clinched the Highest Goal Scorer award, while Haruna Abubakar of Karu was crowned Most Valuable Player. Nasarawa Local Government Area won the Fair Play award, and Suleiman Dauda Sani (Makalele) was recognised as “Fan of the Tournament” for his exemplary sportsmanship.
Thirteen local government areas participated in the annual competition, which is jointly organised by the State Football Association and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in honour of the sitting governor.
The event attracted prominent dignitaries, including the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau.
Observers say the proposed Olympic-sized stadium, if realised, could mark a significant milestone in the state’s sports development drive and position Nasarawa as a competitive destination for elite sporting events in Nigeria.
