NPFL declares Lekan Salami Stadium unfit, forces Shooting Stars to relocate

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has officially declared the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, unsuitable for hosting league matches, forcing Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) to relocate their home fixtures for the remainder of the season.

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The directive was conveyed in a letter dated January 30, 2026, signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi, citing the stadium’s failure to meet requirements under the league’s newly activated broadcast and television rights framework.

According to the letter, Shooting Stars must choose an alternative home ground between the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, and the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

The club has been given until close of business on Monday, February 2, 2026, to communicate its decision, failing which the NPFL will assign a venue.

“After the broadcast and television rights entered into by the Nigeria Premier Football League recently, it has become necessary to inform you that the Lekan Salami Stadium is no longer suitable to host NPFL matches,” the letter stated.

🚨EXCL: The NPFL has asked Shooting Stars to leave the Lekan Salami Stadium due to poor playing surface.

Club to either choose between playing in Abeokuta or Lagos.

The BIG question now is, why is the NPFL board signing this letter and not the NFF??@seyimakinde pic.twitter.com/NnIo9dOzMA

— MikeThePundit (@Mike_ThePundit) January 30, 2026

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Lekan Salami Stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 18,000, has long been the spiritual home of Shooting Stars and a symbol of Oyo State’s football heritage.

The proposed alternatives present logistical and competitive challenges for Shooting Stars. The MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta is about 80 kilometres from Ibadan, while the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, though modern and broadcast-ready, has a smaller capacity and could significantly dilute the club’s home advantage.