Ozumba Mbadiwe never played any role in the construction or supervision of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos Nigeria as claimed in some quarters. There’s a true need to clear the misconception.
Two people played special roles in the construction of the stadium and they are Alhaji Femi Okunnu and Chief Joseph Tarka.
Background
The National Stadium, Lagos was conceived in the late 1960s as part of Nigeria’s nation-building and sports development agenda under General Yakubu Gowon. It was aimed to have a world-class, first in West Africa multi-purpose sports complex that could host international events.
At this time, Chief Femi Okunnu was the Federal Commissioner (Minister) for Works and Housing while Tarka was Federal Commissioner for Transport. Okunnu’s ministry was responsible for designing and constructing federal infrastructure, including roads, bridges, housing estates, and major public buildings.
So, although Chief Joseph Tarka’s Ministry of Transport was officially assigned to supervise the stadium’s construction, Femi Okunnu’s Ministry of Works and Housing handled much of the technical design, civil engineering, and contract execution.
Okunnu’s ministry provided architectural, structural, and engineering expertise for the project in coordination with Techno Exporstroy (the Bulgarian construction firm).
On the other hand, the Ministry of Transport, headed by Tarka, served as the project’s political and administrative overseer or supervisor, ensuring inter-ministerial coordination.
The construction began around 1969 to 1970 and was completed in 1972, in time to host the 1973 All-Africa Games, Nigeria’s first major continental sporting event.
The stadium complex included a 55,000-capacity main bowl, swimming pools, training pitches, and indoor sports halls. It was officially commissioned under General Yakubu Gowon’s government.
Credit: Ethnic African Stories
