Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium set for National Sports Festival in three months

Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu is expected to be ready within three months, ahead of the 23rd National Sports Festival scheduled for November 27 to December 11. The event will take place in the Coal City in 2026.

Yasser Alshamah, the site manager overseeing the stadium’s construction and renovation, gave the assurance about the venue on Ogui Road. The facility, also known as The Cathedral, remains under work as preparations continue for the festival.

The roofing is the main part of the remaining assignment. Alshamah said the project includes covering sections of the stadium with aluminium sheets, with the roof required to be completed within the three-month schedule.

The front patio is also among the areas receiving particular attention. Workers from SANA Group Limited are targeting both the roof and the patio as they work towards having the arena ready for the festival’s opening ceremony.

Alshamah acknowledged that the proposed timeline would leave the stadium ready only a few months before the competition begins. He nevertheless said the work was proceeding according to plan and that the project team intends to complete every part to the required standard before the event.

The circular installation being built at the entrance is part of the stadium’s design. Its dimensions and shape are intended to provide a specific architectural feature for the facility, rather than being an incidental addition to the renovation.

With the festival due to run for 15 days from November 27, the deadline places the roofing and associated finishing work at the centre of the stadium’s preparation. The project team is working towards making the venue available for the Coal City Games 2026 opening ceremony.