The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has declared the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan unfit to host league matches.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, the NPFL informed Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) that the stadium no longer meets the requirements for hosting top-flight matches.
The letter, addressed to the club’s chairman and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, said the decision followed recent broadcast and television rights agreements entered into by the league.
As a result, Shooting Stars were directed to immediately choose an alternative venue for their home matches between the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta and the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
The NPFL warned that the club must communicate its choice to the league secretariat on or before Monday, February 2, 2026, or risk having a venue allocated to it by the league, “This is for your information and immediate compliance,” the NPFL stated.
The decision has sparked concern among football fans and stakeholders in Oyo State, as the Lekan Salami Stadium has long served as the traditional home ground of Shooting Stars.
The stadium was commissioned in September 2021 by Governor Seyi Makinde following a major remodeling project awarded at a total cost of ₦5,580,001,151.62.
The commissioning ceremony was held with fanfare and attracted several high-profile dignitaries, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former military administrator of Oyo State David Jemibewon, and former Super Eagles coach Chief Adegboye Onigbinde. Also present were then-serving and former governors, including Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun).
The event featured novelty matches between the 1994 and 1996 Super Eagles teams, as well as a friendly match between Shooting Stars and Slovenian club Tabor Sežana, which ended 4–1 in favour of the Ibadan side. The matches were played under floodlights and watched by dignitaries, government officials, and sports enthusiasts.
At the time, the state government said the remodeled complex met international standards and would help engage youths, promote sports development, and generate economic benefits.
Governor Makinde had also stated that his administration pushed ahead with the project despite the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the contract for the remodeling was awarded one year earlier.
The project scope included the renovation of the main bowl; construction of a modern media centre; a FIFA-standard studio; mixed zones; changing rooms; medical and doping control facilities; as well as upgraded floodlights. Other additions included a remodeled squash hall, a multipurpose indoor sports hall, a gymnasium, and a centre court.
However, the NPFL’s latest decision has now cast doubt on the long-term value, technical standards, and sustainability of the stadium, especially considering the huge public funds spent and the relatively short time between its commissioning and its current disqualification.