When the stadium was built in 1972, it had a capacity of 55,000.[3] The capacity was later reduced to 45,000 in 1999. The highest attendance, 85,000, was recorded in the final match of the African Cup of Nations in 1980 between Nigeria and Algeria.[4]
For unknown reasons, the National Stadium had been left in dilapidated state since the early 2000s until 2022 when the FG began renovation work at the stadium.[6] It last hosted a national team game in 2004, with football matches moved to the nearby Teslim Balogun Stadium.[7] It is now occasionally used for religious gatherings[8] and has been taken over by area boys[9] and squatters.[10] In 2009, the National Sports Commission begun a concerted effort to bring the facility back to world class status.[11]
The National Stadium was designed by Fola Alade Associates in the year 1970. Construction and supervision took place between 1971 to 1973 by Fola Alade the Architect who designed the stadium, before the All African games that happened in 1973 you can find more details here. The stadium was used as the major sporting facility for the games [1].
Gallery
Pan African Games Lagos January 7-18, 1973. Runners in the starting position on courts
^Adingupu, Charles (2007-03-04). "Hoodlums on Lagos highway". The Guardian (Lagos). Guardian Newspapers Limited, via nigeriaworld.com. Retrieved 2008-02-13. [dead link]
^Salami, Adekunle (2008-01-02). "Squatters take over National Stadium". The Punch (Lagos). Punch Nigeria Limited. Archived from the original on 2011-09-16. Retrieved 2008-02-13.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
