The National Institute for Sports (NIS) has raised an alarm over what it described as a dispute surrounding the ownership of the 200-bed hostel situated at Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, maintaining that the property belongs to the institute.
The institute also cautioned the National Sports Commission (NSC) to steer clear of its facilities located within the stadium complex.
This was contained in a statement signed by Ben Ogbemudia, S.A. Media to the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, which quoted the Head of Department, Works, NIS, Jude Abu Esq., who spoke on Monday during a guided tour of the facility with journalists.
According to the statement, the 200-bed complex, located directly opposite the Athletes Development Centre at Package B, was commissioned as a hostel for NIS students during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Mr. Abu noted that the premises still bears the official plaque commemorating its commissioning as an NIS facility, stressing that the ownership of the property is not in doubt and remains vested in the institute.
He consequently called on all unauthorized occupants and intruders to vacate the property on or before 31st December, 2026, warning that failure to comply would leave the institute with no option but to take necessary legal action.
He further expressed displeasure that on Sunday, 20th September, officials of the National Sports Commission removed the official NIS notice from the premises and replaced it with an eviction notice bearing the authority of the NSC, an action he described as provocative and unlawful.
Mr. Abu reaffirmed that the property is an NIS facility and constitutes a vital component of the institute’s operations, adding that the complex is particularly important for providing accommodation for students undertaking programmes at the Abuja centre.
He added that both the NIS and NSC are independent government parastatals and the NIS is in no way subservient to the NSC.
