After prolonged delays, the long neglected renovation project at Agege Stadium has received a lifeline as a new contractor has officially been engaged. The contractor is expected to mobilise to the site immediately, with a firm deadline of September 2025 for full completion.

Sources close to the project revealed that construction work is set to resume right away, marking a new phase for one of Lagos' most prominent sports facilities. Agege Stadium’s revival is expected to boost local football and sports development, particularly after nearly two years of inactivity at the venue.

Updates also emerged regarding Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere. The pitch has been assigned for redevelopment, with a natural grass surface to replace the current one. Additional facility upgrades are also scheduled to bring the stadium up to Confederation of African Football CAF and FIFA standards, with a target completion before the year ends.

Elsewhere, construction continues at Ifako and Igbogbo Stadiums. While the football pitches at both sites are ready, the final handover is pending the completion of indoor halls a key feature of the new multi-sport complex designs. Igbogbo Stadium, in particular, is poised to host fixtures in the upcoming 2025 Nationwide League One NLO, Lagos Center One, beginning April 26.

With Agege and Teslim Balogun Stadiums offline, Lagos has relied heavily on the Mobolaji Johnson Arena and Legacy Pitch in Surulere for both grassroots and league football. The completion of these stadiums promises much-needed relief for clubs and athletes citywide.

Editorial

This long awaited update on Agege Stadium is more than just good news for Lagos sports it's a turning point. For months, the silence surrounding this key venue has been both frustrating and symbolic of broader infrastructural delays in Nigerian football. Now, with a new contractor onboard and a clear deadline in place, hope returns.

Lagos, the heartbeat of Nigerian football, has found itself limping through seasons with a shortage of playable venues. Agege Stadium wasn’t just a field of play it was a fortress for fans, a hub for youth development, and a dependable home ground for several teams. Its absence has been felt across every level of the game.

But stadiums, as we know, are more than steel and grass. They’re statements. They signal ambition, structure, and belief in the future. And right now, this statement is coming just in time. With other stadiums like Teslim Balogun and Igbogbo also in progress, we’re finally seeing a coordinated push to lift Lagos' sports infrastructure to modern standards.

Of course, we must temper optimism with vigilance. Deadlines in Nigerian public works are notoriously fragile. Transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement will be crucial in making sure this isn’t just another promise. September 2025 is not far off, and the football community will be watching closely.

For now, we welcome the restart. Because a city like Lagos deserves stadiums that reflect its footballing spirit and Agege might soon be just that again.

Did You Know?

1. 
   
2. Agege Stadium has served as a home ground for Nigeria Women’s Football League teams, including FC Robo and DreamStar Ladies.
   
3. Teslim Balogun Stadium, named after a Nigerian football legend, hosted the 2009 FIFA U-17 World .
   
4. The Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly known as Onikan Stadium, is the oldest stadium in Nigeria, opened in 1930.
   
5. The Lagos State Government plans to adopt natural grass surfaces in several renovated stadiums to meet international standards.
   
6. The 2025 NLO Nationwide League One season will feature over 100 grassroots clubs across Nigeria, making it one of the country’s largest amateur leagues.