Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick highlighted the country’s poor maintenance culture as a major barrier to sports development, especially in maintaining sports infrastructure. Speaking on Tuesday at the University of Ibadan, during a lecture titled, “The Challenges of Sports Infrastructure and Maintenance in Nigeria: Prospect for the Podium Performance,” Pinnick expressed concerns about Nigeria’s facilities for supporting athletes despite the nation’s abundant sports talent.
Reflecting on his tenure from 2014 to 2022—a period also marked by allegations of misused FIFA grants intended for grassroots football Pinnick pointed out that many of Nigeria’s stadiums lack the basic standards required to host FIFA events. “Many stadiums in Nigeria don’t meet the standard of what we would truly call a stadium,” he noted, adding that maintaining facilities begins with building a broader culture of maintenance, starting in the home. “If you did not maintain your homes, how will you maintain the sports facilities?” he asked.
Pinnick also mentioned the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, which, while regarded as one of Nigeria’s best, still lacks the necessary amenities like hospitality suites, which are crucial for meeting FIFA standards and revenue goals. As a member of FIFA’s executive council since 2021, Pinnick, with support from President Bola Tinubu, is seeking re-election to continue influencing global football and advocating for improved infrastructure in Nigeria.