Akpabio Stadium Still Nigeria’s Only CAF Approved Venue for International Matches
Written by Alonge Akinlolu on 7 — 11
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo has once again proven why it’s called the Nest of Champions, after retaining its status as Nigeria’s only Confederation of African Football (CAF) approved venue for international matches.
Following a recent CAF inspection, the 30,000 capacity arena ticked all the boxes for hosting top level continental and global fixtures maintaining a record it has held for years.
Akwa Ibom State’s Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, confirmed the development, noting that the state government remains fully committed to keeping the stadium in world class condition.
“We have continued to invest in regular maintenance and upgrades because this stadium represents not just Akwa Ibom, but Nigeria,” Bassey said.
The iconic facility has been home to the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualifying campaign and has also hosted major CAF Champions League ties. It will once again come alive this season when Rivers United play their group stage matches against RS Berkane (Morocco), Power Dynamos (Zambia), and Pyramids FC (Egypt).
Beyond football, the stadium has become a hub for entertainment and tourism, attracting major concerts and events that continue to boost the local economy.
Bassey added that Akwa Ibom remains determined to keep setting the pace for sports infrastructure in Nigeria, with hopes that more states will emulate the model and raise the bar for international-standard sporting facilities.
