Onikan Stadium: Nigeria's oldest stadium is wearing a new look to become the boast of Africa

Posted : 10 May 2023

Arguably, Onikan Stadium is the oldest stadium in Nigeria and one of the oldest in Africa.

The 5,000-capacity multi-purpose sports complex close to Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island has gone through many name changes since it was built in 1930.

The stadium was first named King George and was also renovated in the 1930s to be named Onikan Stadium, after which it took another name recently as Mobolaji Johnson Arena, named after the first military governor of Lagos.

The stadium has served and is famous for being the home ground for top Nigerian clubs such as Stationery Stores FC, First Bank FC, and Julius Berger FC, all Lagos-based.

The stadium was also one of the centres for the 1999 U-20 World Cup, hosted by Nigeria. In 2017, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, decided to give the stadium a befitting look when he approved the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Island Stadium to meet the expectations of a 21st century infrastructure suitable for local and international events.

The redesign of the stadium was awarded to SlavaBogu Nigeria Limited, with just about two years of tenure. According to reconstruction, the stadium will witness the complete demolition of the existing facilities, including the removal of the old turf, underground drainage, and artificial pitch base. The redesigning also means that the four stands will be completely covered with a membrane roof, a high-quality artificial playground that has been approved by FIFA for international games, international standard dressing rooms, and comfortable four-stand seats with international standards to aid the catering unit, toilet unit, hygienic unit, and escape unit in case of emergencies. There will be limited car parks for officials and their teams because the state government is constructing a huge car park just next to the stadium, which would take just a 100-meter walk. The external and internal walls, electrical and mechanical installations, paved driveways, perimeter fence, borehole and water reticulation, as well as external electricity lighting and landscaping, amongst others, will also go through remodification. Six years down the line, however, the stadium has yet to be completed due to many factors. In an interview with ASN, the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) promised that the stadium would be completed in due course.

Onikan Stadium: Nigeria's oldest stadium is wearing a new look to become the boast of Africa

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