Dollar ‘Rain’ Gift vs Sports Growth: How Nigeria Could Have Played Differently
- Nigeria chipped in huge cash rewards for the Super Falcons, the glorious women's senior national football team
- D'Tigress, the nation's women's national basketball team, were also beneficiaires of same windfall
- In this report, Legit.ng looks at why Nigeria's president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should prioritise sports growth and development going forward
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 4 years of experience covering sports business.
Surulere, Lagos state - "Ha, ha, ha, ha, this is almost unbelievable,” these were the words of a stunned Nigerian man in a viral video when he visited the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The facility, once a monument of glee and glory, is now a shadow of itself, with successive Nigerian governments failing to fully restore it.
Source: Twitter
The stadium had been left in dilapidated state since the early 2000s and it last hosted a national team game in 2004.
The viral video can be watched below:
While this prized infrastructure continues to be left to suffer and key sporting projects in the country are ignored, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has opted to lavish funds from the national treasury on glory-claiming athletes.
The Nigerian leader opened the vault and gifted, among others, $100,000 (about 152 million naira in interbank exchange rate) each to a total of 36 athletes (24 Super Falcons members and 12 D’Tigress players). The technical crews of the serial success-claimers also benefited from the largesse, promised $50,000 each.
Legit.ng’s estimation showed that Super Falcons players would get N3,648,000,000, 11-member technical team N836,000,000, D’Tigress squad, N1,800,000,000, and its 3-member technical team, N228,000,000.
It means, in the space of just one week, the presidency is spending six billion, five hundred and twelve million (N6,512,000,000) on the two victorious teams.
What would however be good, in addition to these great rewards, is for the Nigerian government to diligently invest in sports.
Against the backdrop of the president’s gesture, Legit.ng highlights some longterm essential sporting projects that can be undertaken in Nigeria with N6 billion.
1. Stadium renovation
In April 2023, Sunday Dare, then-minister for sports and youth development, said N21 billion was needed for the renovation of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Obviously, some few billions from the government would have helped with small-scale renovation of the sporting edifice.
Source: Twitter
2. Construction of astroturf pitches
The cost to construct an astroturf football pitch in Nigeria varies greatly depending on size, materials, and desired features, but a 20x40 meter field could range from $60,000 to $100,000, per Reform Sports.
A larger 30x50 meter field, suitable for 8-a-side teams, might cost between $70,000 and $150,000. These figures can fluctuate based on whether the pitch is open or enclosed, the type of artificial turf selected, and the inclusion of additional structures like stands, lighting, or fencing.
With N400 to 600 million, authorities can build 10-15 high-quality astroturf pitches in different parts of the country, providing safe and durable playing surfaces for football, hockey, or other sports.
3. Sports complex development
The cost to develop a sports complex in Nigeria can vary significantly, ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of naira, depending on the size, complexity, and location of the facility. Factors like the type of facilities (e.g., track and field, football stadium, swimming pool, indoor arena), the materials used, and the location within Nigeria (particularly urban vs. rural) all influence the overall cost.
An expert told Legit.ng that N1 to 2 billion would develop a state-of-the-art sports complex with facilities for multiple sports, such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, and athletics.
4. Talent development academy
Establishing a talent development academy involves various costs, including infrastructure, equipment, and operational expenses.
Our findings revealed that N2 billion can establish a national talent development academy for young athletes, providing world-class training facilities, coaching, and mentorship.
Legit.ng reports that the projects noted above can have a significant impact on Nigeria's sports development, promoting talent development, and enhancing the overall sports ecosystem.
Read more on Nigeria's sports:
- WAFCON winner Michelle Alozie treated to heroic welcome as she returns to United States
- Benue government gifts Super Falcons star N50 million, names street in her honour
Tinubu appoints Dikko as NSC boss
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu appointed Shehu Dikko as the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
The presidency announced Dikko’s appointment after scrapping the ministry of sports development.
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Source: Legit.ng
