The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has officially withdrawn its provisional approval for the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna, forcing Niger Tornadoes to relocate their home matches to the Lafia Township Stadium for the remainder of the season. The league’s decision, announced yesterday, comes amid concerns over the stadium’s inability to meet club licensing infrastructure standards.
In a letter dated February 19, 2025, the NPFL cited the stadium’s substandard conditions as the reason for its disqualification. This decision follows an earlier ruling that also deemed Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, previously adopted by Niger Tornadoes, unfit for hosting league matches.
Reacting to the league’s verdict, Niger Tornadoes acknowledged the poor state of both stadiums and formally selected Lafia Township Stadium as their new home ground. In a statement, the club’s secretary, Jibrin Haruna, confirmed the move while assuring fans that efforts were already underway to restore Minna Stadium to NPFL standards. He revealed that the Niger State government has contracted a reputable company to carry out urgent renovations, with the goal of making the stadium compliant within two weeks.
Read also: NDDC charges organizing c’ttees to make sports festival a benchmark
The NPFL remains firm on its stance regarding stadium standards, with its chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, emphasizing that only television-friendly venues that meet the required infrastructure will be allowed to host league games. He stated that regular monitoring would continue to ensure compliance, warning that any club failing to meet the standards would see their home ground delisted.
The case of Niger Tornadoes is not an isolated one, as Lobi Stars also recently lost the right to play at their home stadium due to similar licensing violations. The league’s strict enforcement signals a renewed commitment to improving the quality of football venues in the country, ensuring that players, fans, and broadcasters experience the best possible match conditions.
