The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will on Tuesday achieve another milestone as it officially breaks ground for the construction of a Players’ Hostel and multiple new training pitches in Abuja. The event will be conducted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (GCON) at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Package B.
The NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel, a 68-room facility, will be located opposite the NFF Secretariat and will feature two wings (A and B), comprising 62 single rooms, four suites, and two executive suites.
Alongside the hostel, the project will deliver two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass), reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch, spectator terraces with 1,838 seats, two dressing rooms for players (each accommodating 27 players), and two dressing rooms for match officials.
The 24-month project is fully funded by FIFA through its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme, the world’s largest football development initiative, designed to boost investment in global football infrastructure, ensure transparency, and drive impactful, tailor-made projects.
NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau expressed gratitude to FIFA for the funding, emphasising the transformative nature of the project. “The NFF is excited about the Players’ Hostel and new training pitches. It is a transformational project around our national teams, and we are grateful to FIFA for providing the funds for these amazing facilities. Right from the inception of the present NFF administration, we were very clear on what we wanted to do with our FIFA Forward 3.0 funds. Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management, it will substantially reduce expenditure in these areas and enable us to commit more funds to grassroots development programs,” Gusau stated.
FIFA’s Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer and Regional Director (Africa), Gelson Fernandes, praised the project’s significance, stating: “The main objective of the Forward Programme is to ensure top-quality infrastructure that drives football development worldwide. The NFF’s transformation of its Technical Centre is a perfect example – upgrading training pitches, building modern accommodation, and creating a true home for the national teams; this project is a brilliant one for Nigeria football. We’re proud to support and to work alongside the NFF, not only with funding but also by sharing expertise to make this project a reality. Nigeria lives and breathes football, and FIFA is committed to helping the game grow as much as we can.”
The groundbreaking ceremony will be attended by top dignitaries, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, UAE and Moroccan Ambassadors, former Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Phillip Shaibu, Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, and heads of key security agencies.
Also expected are Chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Sports Committees, NOC President, Engineer Habu Gumel, former Sports Ministers Sunday Dare and John Enoh, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, former NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi, and ex-NFF Secretaries Ambassador Fanny Amun and Barr. Musa Amadu.
Adding prestige to the occasion, 10 Nigerian football legends will also be present; Olusegun Odegbami, Augustine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Nwankwo Kanu, Mutiu Adepoju, Samson Siasia, Victor Ikpeba, Ahmed Musa, Precious Dede, and Stella Mbachu
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