Lagos Grassroots Football Needs 20 Standard Pitches, Says Monday Kanu

Former international Monday Kanu has called on Lagos State authorities to deliver at least 20 standard football pitches across the city to foster grassroots development and harness the evident passion for community football. Speaking after he observed a crowded neighbourhood match between Yellow and Blue FC, Kanu was impressed by the turnout and enthused about the potential such enthusiasm holds.

“I was flabbergasted to see this kind of crowd in community football,” he remarked, emphasising the absence of corporate sponsorship or major infrastructure for events like the 1xBet Cup. He highlighted the urgency of creating formal playing facilities and suggested that private sector involvement, with government support, should drive the development of these spaces.

Kanu advocated for collaboration, stressing that corporate entities should take responsibility for managing community pitches, while the government provides the enabling environment. His comments underscore a belief that grassroots football in Lagos is vibrant but under‑resourced.

Editorial

We underscore Monday Kanu’s appeal as timely and vital for Lagos football’s future. A call for 20 standard pitches reflects more than infrastructure it signals belief in community sport and untapped potential.

We contend that neither enthusiasm nor raw numbers is lacking in Lagos. What is absent is adequate infrastructure and coordinated investment. The packed crowd at Yellow and Blue FC’s match showed latent energy—now it needs a platform built on proper facilities.

We advocate strongly for public-private partnerships. The government must create the regulatory and planning framework, but the corporate sector should supply funding, pitch maintenance and community access. Lagos State Commission already set the tone through its partnership with TECNO to revamp underutilised spaces into astroturf centres.

We believe that having at least twenty well-maintained, accessible pitches would not only cultivate talent but also reduce urban idle time, create jobs and foster neighbourhood pride. As observed, the appetite exists; what is required is structure and opportunity.

We maintain that Kanu’s vision, grounded in his grassroots experience, is more than aspirational—it’s a roadmap to inclusive youth engagement and football development. Lagos must follow through with bold action and collaboration.

Did You Know?

1. Lagos State received recognition as the State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme at the inaugural Nigeria Pitch Awards in 2013.
2. The Lagos State Sports Commission is the apex agency responsible for overseeing over 44 sports associations and numerous mini-stadia across the state.
3. In mid‑2024, Lagos and TECNO signed an MoU to refurbish community fields, launching with a pitch beneath the Sura Under Bridge, part of a plan to revamp 100 pitches across Africa starting with Lagos.
4. The Mobolaji Johnson Arena (Onikan) uses hybrid synthetic turf, but it has suffered significant wear and tear due to poor maintenance, highlighting the challenge of facility upkeep in Lagos.
5. Lagos State’s Director-General, Lekan Fatodu, reaffirmed in May 2025 that the state will continue grassroots sports development through training of Games Masters and school‑based programmes—not just medals .