Monimichelle CEO Urges Bayelsa to Prioritise World-Class Standards, Completion of ₦100bn Stadium Project
By Niger Delta Herald
The Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Sports-Nigeria, Ebi Egbe, has called on the Bayelsa State Government to ensure that the proposed over ₦100 billion, 30,000-capacity stadium is constructed to internationally accepted standards, stressing that the project’s success should be measured by its quality, functionality and long-term sustainability rather than its cost or architectural design.
Egbe, a renowned sports infrastructure expert, said investing over ₦100 billion in a modern stadium was not, in itself, a misplaced priority, noting that Nigeria still has very few stadiums that genuinely meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Category 3 and Category 4 standards required for major continental competitions.
He, however, expressed concern over what he described as the continued celebration of substandard football facilities within Bayelsa State’s football ecosystem.
According to him, massive concrete structures and attractive designs alone do not qualify a stadium for FIFA or CAF approval.
“The real test is the quality of the core football infrastructure, including the playing pitch, drainage system, floodlighting, dressing rooms, media and broadcast facilities, safety and security systems, medical facilities, spectator amenities and every other requirement under international stadium regulations,” he said.
Egbe expressed hope that these critical components had been fully captured in the proposed budget for the new Bayelsa Stadium.
He also cited the underutilisation of the 30,000-capacity Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, describing it as one of Nigeria’s leading football venues that has yet to realise its full potential.
He warned that Bayelsa should avoid a situation similar to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, where, despite its world-class status, the facility has struggled for years to maximise its potential.
The Monimichelle Sports-Nigeria CEO further observed that the natural grass pitch at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium requires urgent re-grassing and sustained maintenance to maintain elite standards.
Egbe maintained that the true legacy of any stadium is determined not by its construction cost or architectural beauty but by its ability to consistently host top-level football, develop local talent, attract national and international competitions, stimulate economic activities and remain sustainable for generations.
Describing himself as a Bayelsan and a major stakeholder in Nigeria’s sports infrastructure sector, with his company’s corporate headquarters located in Yenagoa, Egbe expressed optimism that the Bayelsa Stadium project would be completed during the tenure of Governor Douye Diri.
He noted that time was of the essence, warning that a future administration could adopt different priorities, thereby leaving the project abandoned or underutilised.
“I make this observation from many years of experience in Nigeria’s sports infrastructure industry,” he stated.
Egbe also appealed to Bayelsans, irrespective of political affiliation, to support Governor Douye Diri in completing both the Bayelsa Stadium and Sampou Stadium projects.
According to him, sports infrastructure is a long-term investment whose benefits extend beyond politics and any single administration, adding that completing the projects would leave a lasting legacy for future generations while positioning Bayelsa State as a leading destination for sports development in Nigeria.
About Author
