Governor Otti Approves Upgrade of Umuahia Stadium for Abia Warriors and Future Sports Projects

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced immediate plans to upgrade the Umuahia Township Stadium to support Abia Warriors FC and other local teams, while long-term designs are underway for a modern stadium city in Umuahia.

Governor Otti made this known on Wednesday while receiving Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau and his delegation at his residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

“Not too long ago, I gave approval to upgrade the Umuahia Township Stadium and make it what a proper stadium should be,” Otti said.

While the current stadium upgrade is a temporary measure, the governor revealed that a comprehensive architectural design for a full-fledged stadium city is already in progress. This facility is expected to serve as a long-term hub for sporting activities in the state.

Otti also emphasized the importance of football as a unifying force in Nigeria and reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting positive social impact through sports.

He used the opportunity to congratulate President Bola Tinubu on the Super Falcons’ recent performance and pledged that Abia State will remain a leader in national and continental sports competitions.

In his remarks, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau hailed Abia as the birthplace of modern football in Nigeria, pointing to the state’s historic wins in African continental championships.

“You cannot tell the story of Nigerian football without mentioning Abia,” Gusau stated.

He called on the state government to prioritize rehabilitation of the Umuahia Township Stadium and offered NFF’s technical assistance to restore the facility to standard.

Gusau also praised Abia Warriors FC, which he noted ranks among the top three clubs in Nigeria, attributing the club’s growth to Governor Otti’s consistent support.