‘Protracted issues’ on grass upgrade stall renovation work at Teslim Balogun Stadium

Renovation works at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, have been stalled by unresolved issues over the upgrade of the grass pitch, officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission have explained.

The stadium was closed to public use in 2021 to allow for a comprehensive re-modelling of some of the structures as stipulated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which gave specific corrections to be made on the structure.

The renovation was supposed to have been completed in the first quarter of the year, but work stopped on the project due to “issues bordering on the grass surface.”

Speaking on the delay in the completion of the work, Lagos State Sports Commission’s (LSSC) Director General, Lekan Fatodu, said that the state embarked on the project when “CAF stipulated that significant improvements are necessary before the Super Eagles can resume playing home games here.”

He said that the renovation aims to cover all spectator stands and upgrade the football pitch. He said, however, that the job has stalled since February 2024, “primarily due to unresolved issues concerning the grass upgrade. Once this final aspect is addressed, the stadium will be revitalisedto become suitable for hosting important matches.”

Fatodu failed to disclose the total cost of the renovation, saying that that would only be known at the project’s completion, adding, “with updates on the total expenses expected to be shared once the stadium is fully operational.”

He affirmed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to providing the needed support for the actualisation of the project, adding: “We shall continue to build on the mandate that the governor has given us. We want to re-enact the good old days of football in Lagos State.”

The LSSC boss also assured stakeholders that the public power supply would be restored at the stadium, which has been in darkness for more than two months.   “Construction work is still on, and power issues are also being addressed vigorously,” he said.

A staff member of the LSSC, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that the lack of power supply in the edifice has made working in the stadium difficult. The security personnel said that it has been tough monitoring the 24,325-capacity stadium without light.

“We have a tough time monitoring the facility because once it’s dark, there won’t be a generator to light up the stadium. So, we have to use torchlights to go around the facility.

“We still have to do our jobs anyway because there is ongoing construction in the stadium, and the equipment must be guarded well. We appeal to the relevant authorities to expedite action to ensure that power is restored to the stadium on time,’’ he said.

Another staff of the commission, who also pleaded anonymity, said that leaving the stadium in darkness has compromised the security of facilities in the sporting complex.

He added: “It is unfortunate that for almost three months, we have not had light here. You can see for yourself that the ever-busy Teslim Balogun Stadium now looks like a ghost town. It is even worse in the night; it is shameful that the whole place is in total darkness.

“The security of lives and property in the stadium at night is suspect. It is high time the management of the LSSC did something about this embarrassing situation,’’ he said.