Former Gombe State Football Association chairman Shuaib Gara Gombe has accused two former Nigerian sports ministers, Solomon Dalung and Sunday Dare, of responsibility for the decline that has left the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja and the National Stadium in Lagos non functional for years.

Speaking during an interview in Abuja, Gara Gombe said both men failed to properly manage the facilities during their respective tenures, and described it as shameful that Nigeria now has only one FIFA and CAF approved stadium remaining, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Concession Deal Allegations

Gara Gombe alleged that during Dalung’s tenure, key sections of the two stadiums, including the swimming pool, Games Village, indoor sports hall, and main gate, were concessioned to private interests, including a firm he identified as O’jez, under circumstances he described as questionable. He claimed the firm paid substantial sums running into millions of naira under unclear terms, and said it remains uncertain whether due process was followed or whether the arrangements were ever publicly advertised. He also questioned the role of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission in overseeing the deals, and is calling for a comprehensive investigation into both the concession arrangements and the funds earmarked for renovating the two stadiums.

Renovation Fund Allegations

Regarding Sunday Dare, who succeeded Dalung as sports minister, Gara Gombe alleged that approximately N1 billion donated by businessman Aliko Dangote to renovate the Moshood Abiola National Stadium’s pitch and electronic scoreboard did not achieve its intended purpose, claiming the pitch’s condition instead deteriorated. He said the stadium was subsequently downgraded by FIFA and CAF to hosting only local competitions rather than gaining international approval. He is calling on the Federal Government to investigate both former ministers.

Complete Sports has not independently verified these allegations, and neither Dalung nor Dare had responded publicly to Gara Gombe’s claims as of this report.