The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has recently unveiled a major transformation of its Technical Centre in Abuja, thanks to a significant investment from FIFA’s development program, FIFA Forward. With a funding of USD 4,800,000, the project aims to elevate the facilities to international standards by reconstructing existing synthetic pitches, adding new natural and synthetic grass pitches, and constructing a modern football hostel to accommodate the national teams.
This initiative is part of a larger strategy to provide Nigeria’s national teams with a world-class facility that will support their development and performance. The upgraded Technical Centre will serve as a dedicated home for all national teams, reducing accommodation and travel expenses while improving team management and coordination.
NFF president Ibrahim Musa Gusau expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “The NFF is thrilled about the Players’ Hostel and new training pitches. This transformational project will enhance our infrastructure for the national teams, and we are grateful to FIFA for funding these remarkable facilities. Building a players’ hostel and upgrading training pitches will not only improve team management but also reduce expenses in these areas, allowing us to allocate more funds to grassroots development programs.”
The beneficiaries of this project extend beyond the national teams to include youth and women’s squads, league clubs, academies, as well as tournament organizers and visiting teams who will have access to the enhanced facilities. FIFA Deputy Chief Member Associations officer, Gelson Fernandes, commended the NFF’s efforts, emphasizing the importance of top-quality infrastructures in driving football development globally.
FIFA Forward, the world’s largest sports development program, aims to redistribute FIFA’s revenues among its 211 Member Associations. The program focuses on areas such as infrastructure, capacity building, competitions, national teams, and specific projects tailored to each Member Association’s needs. By the end of 2026, FIFA is projected to invest a record-breaking USD 5 billion in football development worldwide.
The transformation of the NFF Technical Centre underscores FIFA’s commitment to supporting football growth and excellence in Nigeria. With upgraded facilities and modern amenities, the Centre is poised to become a hub for football development and excellence in the region.
