Top 10 Best Stadiums In Nigeria 2024
Football is one of Nigeria’s most popular sport, and it is currently so obvious that it is the best sport for the typical Nigerian and has always attracted the rest of the globe. Football not only provides us with endless pleasure and joy, but it also promotes togetherness, peace, and harmony among Nigerians.
Nigerian football has improved greatly with a huge number of good stadiums capable of hosting great sporting tournaments and competitions. As a result, we’ll go over the top 10 best stadiums in Nigeria.
Top 10 Best Stadiums in Nigeria
The following is a list of the top 10 best stadiums in Nigeria. However, there is a need for additional sports infrastructures and development with great maintenance and the right funding to make it fit for works sports tournaments and competitions.
1. Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo
This is the first on our list of the top 10 best stadiums in Nigeria which was opened in 2014 to host the “All African Games”. It is the best stadium in the country and now the home of the national teams of Nigeria. The Akwa Ibom International Stadium is a multi-purpose national sports stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom’s state capital that was built at a cost of roughly $250 million.
Julius Berger was given the contract to build the Akwa Ibom International Stadium complex and Games Village in 2012, and it was finished in 2014. The Allianz Arena in Germany was used as inspiration for this stadium design. The international stadium has a seating capacity of 30,000 people and is a multi-purpose venue that is utilized for both sporting and non-sporting events such as cultural and social events.
The Stadium has a well-kept grass pitch with floodlights and two electronic scoreboards. The stadium features a well-equipped medical center as well as two standby ambulances. It is outfitted with crowd control steel fencing, six exits, and emergency services. It contains a public parking lot with a capacity of 5000 cars and a VIP parking lot with 700 cars. Security is on duty 24 hours a day, and there are closed-circuit security cameras installed (CCTV) with an OBS media center and a language translator commentary box, the media center is well-equipped.
2. Abuja National Stadium, Abuja.
Abuja National Stadium is a multi-purpose national sports stadium in Abuja, Nigeria’s fast-growing Federal Capital Territory. The stadium being the second on our list of top 10 best stadiums in Nigeria is home to the Nigerian national football team and a venue for a variety of social, cultural, and religious activities.
On July 18, 2000, the Nigerian Federal Government approved the contract for the construction of the National Stadium complex and Games Village. It is one of Nigeria’s largest stadiums and the best when it comes to size. This stadium has held some of the world’s most prestigious athletic events and tournaments, including the 8th All Africa Games in 2003.
The construction of the Abuja National Stadium cost the government $360 million, making it the most expensive stadium in Nigerian history. It has a capacity of 60,491 seat total, including a Presidential suite and viewing area.
It features a well-kept grass pitch with floodlights and two electronic scoreboards. The stadium also has a well-equipped medical center as well as two standby ambulances.
It is outfitted with crowd control steel fencing, six exits, and emergency services. It contains a public parking lot with a capacity of 4000 cars and a VIP parking lot with 400 cars. Police are on duty 24 hours a day, and there are closed-circuit security cameras installed (CCTV).
3. Liberation Stadium Port Harcourt
Liberation Stadium, in the Elekhia neighborhood of Port Harcourt, is a multi-purpose football stadium that has been recognized as one of Nigeria’s greatest and third on our list of top 10 best Stadiums in Nigeria.
The Stadium was refurbished in 2014.
When it was still known as Liberation Stadium, it hosted the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2009 and the CAF Champions League in 2010. It has a capacity: 35, 000 people with a VIP viewing section. Field amenities include a well-kept grass pitch, an electronic scoreboard, and floodlights. There are two ambulances and a medical facility on site. The stadium has six exits that go directly to major highways. Steel perimeter fencing and CCTV provide security with an excellent media center. Closed Circuit Security Cameras (CCTV) are also installed at the stadium to monitor movement around the stadium.
4. Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu
Nnamdi Azikiwe is ranked as the fourth on the list of the top 10 best Stadiums in Nigeria. It was opened in 1959 and upgraded and refurbished in 1986. It was previously owned by Nigeria Railway Corporation but was upgraded in 1986.
The Stadium has a VIP viewing section with a capacity of 22, 000 persons. Artificial turf with floodlights and a video matrix scoreboard. There are eight exits, and the audience may disperse in within 30 minutes. It has a private security guard on duty at all times, as well as CCTV.
The stadium hosted the FIFA U20 World Championship in 1999, and it is presently the home ground of the Rangers, an international football club from Enugu.
5. Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan
Originally known as Liberty Stadium, it was renamed Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in 2010 by President Goodluck Jonathan. In 1999, the stadium hosted the FIFA World Youth Championship. Shooting Stars FC (3SC) occasionally plays in the stadium, but they prefer Adamasingba Stadium.
It has a capacity of 35, 000 people with a VIP viewing area. A well-kept grass field with a digital scoreboard. There is a medical clinic on-site, as well as two ambulances on standby. The stadium has six exits and a park in a public space that has a capacity of 7,000.
Since the stadium has hosted the crucial world-class tournament, police and other security agencies are always on the lookout. This is especially true considering the media center facilities and equipment, which are standard and FIFA graded.
6. Enyimba International Stadium, Aba
Originally known as Aba Township Stadium, the stadium was renamed in 2002 to honor the club after they won the CAF Champions League. The CAF Champions League finals have been held at the stadium.
With a VIP viewing section, the capacity is 25, 000 persons. It features a well-kept grass field with an electronic scoreboard and floodlights. A well-equipped medical arena as well as sufficient and ready medical facilities on the ground, such as ambulances with qualified professional personnel. The stadium has six main(wide) exits and a well-organized car park with 1500 parking places, so crowd management is not an issue.
In addition, the media center is well-equipped with the most up-to-date media tools and equipment, allowing all events in the stadium to be filmed and recorded for future use.
7. UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar
This is the 7th on our list of the top 10 best Stadiums in Nigeria. It was opened on April 2, 1977, with a match between Benin’s Bendel Insurance F.C. and Calabar Rovers, a newly formed Calabar club. The stadium then hosted an international match between Enugu Rangers and Tonnerre Yaoundé two weeks later, featuring players such as Roger Milla, Christian Chukwu, and Emmanuel Okalla. In October 2003, the U. J. Esuene Stadium hosted games from the 2003 All-Africa Games, as well as Nigeria’s qualifiers for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.
Originally a 25, 000-seat stadium, it was reduced to 18, 000 seats in 1999 to meet FIFA requirements. Calabar Rovers FC now calls it home, and it has hosted more FIFA-graded games than any other stadium in Nigeria. It features a well-kept grass surface with floodlights and an ultra-modern video matrix scoreboard. It has four exits and steel perimeter fencing helps to keep crowds at bay. It has an OBS media center, which is ultra-modern
8. Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos
The stadium was named after the legendary professional footballer from Lagos, “Teslim Balogun,” when it was opened in 2007. The stadium has previously hosted the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2009 and the FA Cup Final in 2011. First Bank FC now calls this location home.
The stadium is not a multi-purpose venue; it was built and is primarily utilized for a single sporting event, namely a football match. The stadium’s building cost was estimated to be over N1.3 billion.
It features a seating capacity: 24, 325, artificial grass with a computerized scoreboard is used on the field. There is a medical clinic on-site, as well as two ambulances on standby. There are four exits leading to the main road. It has CCTV cameras and private security that works with the police. Excellent OBS equipment and a media center are available.
However, immediately across the street from this stadium is the Lagos State National Stadium; the two should not be confused.
9. Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano
The Sani Abacha Stadium first opened in 1982 and hosted the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2009, is presently the home of Kano Pillars FC. It has an 18,000-person capacity (all-seater) with a VIP viewing area.
The pitch is covered in a well-kept grass turf with a strategically placed scoreboard. Two ambulances are on standby at a local medical center, and there are four primary exits for fans, as well as steel fencing and police presence during and after the play, ensuring utmost security. It also features an OBS media center, which handles a variety of media operations.
10. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is located in Benin City and has a seating capacity of 30,000 people. The pitch is built of artificial grass turf and includes numerous amenities such as a scoreboard, medical and security personnel and facilities, and crowd control exits, among others. The scoreboard is in the proper location on the pitch, and there is one operational ambulance with a dedicated security guard on duty at all times to avoid bad news.
Wrap Up
Nigeria as a country is blessed with numerous sporting facilities, including multiple football stadiums located throughout the country. This article has covered the top 10 best stadiums in Nigeria.
