Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inspected ongoing rehabilitation and upgrading works at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere as the State intensifies preparations to host the inaugural National Intermediate Sports Festival.
Sanwo-Olu carried out the inspection on Saturday, August 8, 2026, as Lagos moves to ensure that its sports facilities are ready for the national competition scheduled to take place from October 1 to 15.
The inspection focused on several sections of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, including the main football and athletics arena, indoor sports hall, volleyball court and swimming pool. The Governor also assessed the progress of other rehabilitation projects being undertaken across sports facilities in the State.
The visit comes at a crucial stage in Lagos’ preparations for the maiden National Intermediate Sports Festival, which is expected to bring thousands of young athletes from different parts of Nigeria to the State.
According to the Governor, Lagos accepted the hosting rights after the National Sports Commission awarded the State the opportunity to stage the first edition of the competition.
Sanwo-Olu said the event would provide an important platform for grassroots sports development by giving young athletes an opportunity to develop their abilities before progressing into elite-level competition.
He said Lagos was determined to use the competition to strengthen the pathway between grassroots sports and higher levels of national and international competition.
The Governor explained that between 14,000 and 15,000 athletes are expected to participate in the festival, making the rehabilitation and upgrading of sports facilities a major priority for the State Government.
At Teslim Balogun Stadium, particular attention was given to the football pitch and athletics facilities. The main football pitch is being upgraded to meet FIFA standards, with natural grass already laid as part of the rehabilitation programme.
The athletics track is also undergoing work, with the wet ring and tartan track expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Sanwo-Olu said the pitch, once completed, would rank among the best football playing surfaces in Nigeria.
The Governor also inspected the indoor sports hall, where extensive rehabilitation work is taking place. The ongoing work includes improvements to the roofing, seating, flooring and air-conditioning systems.
Another major area inspected was the swimming pool. Sanwo-Olu identified the facility as one of the areas requiring urgent attention ahead of the October competition and assured that work would be accelerated to ensure it is ready for the Games.
The inspection was part of the broader effort by the Lagos State Government to upgrade sports infrastructure across the State.
Beyond Teslim Balogun Stadium, several other sports centres are being rehabilitated or upgraded as part of Lagos’ preparations. Facilities across areas including Surulere, Ifako, Badagry, Epe, Agege and Ikorodu are among those being considered as part of the State’s wider sports infrastructure programme.
The National Intermediate Sports Festival is expected to feature 15 compulsory sports and is designed to strengthen the transition of young athletes from grassroots competitions to elite sports. The competition was introduced by the National Sports Commission as a platform for athletes emerging from developmental programmes to gain greater exposure and experience.
Lagos’ preparations have been under close scrutiny in recent months. In June, an inspection tour by the Main Organising Committee covered a number of facilities expected to play roles in the Games, including Teslim Balogun Stadium, the National Stadium Complex in Surulere, the National Institute for Sports, Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba College of Technology, University of Lagos sports facilities and hostels, Elegbata Sports Centre, the Cricket Oval at Tafawa Balewa Square and Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
The June inspection had already highlighted the need to keep rehabilitation projects on schedule, particularly at Teslim Balogun Stadium, with delivery targeted ahead of the October competition.
During Saturday’s inspection, Sanwo-Olu reiterated the importance of completing the outstanding work within the required timeframe. He also indicated that he would return to assess the level of preparedness as the competition draws closer.
The Governor’s inspection demonstrates the increasing attention being given to the condition of Lagos’ sporting infrastructure as the State prepares for what will be the first edition of the National Intermediate Sports Festival.
For Lagos, hosting the competition represents more than simply staging a national sporting event. The State Government sees it as an opportunity to strengthen grassroots sports, improve sporting facilities and provide young athletes with a structured route towards elite competition.
Sanwo-Olu said the development of young athletes should begin from the grassroots, stressing the importance of creating facilities and programmes capable of identifying and nurturing sporting talent.
With the October 1 opening date approaching, attention will now remain on the completion of the rehabilitation projects and the readiness of the facilities expected to host athletes and sporting events during the festival.
The Lagos State Government is therefore expected to maintain its monitoring of the projects in the coming weeks, particularly at Teslim Balogun Stadium, where several major facilities are receiving upgrades.
The successful completion of the rehabilitation programme will be critical to Lagos’ preparations as the State seeks to deliver the maiden National Intermediate Sports Festival to the required standard and use the event to further promote the development of young sporting talent across Nigeria.