For decades, Olubadan Stadium has remained a vital pillar of football development in Ibadan, nurturing grassroots talent and sustaining competitive football at the local level. As the home of the Ibadan Football Association (IFA) League, the stadium occupies a special place in Nigeria’s football history.
The IFA League has produced some of the country’s most celebrated footballers, including Muda Lawal, Segun Odegbami, Best Ogedengbe, Thunder Balogun, and Ayo Adeniji—names that continue to define Nigeria’s golden football era.
In recent years, the IFA League has earned a reputation as one of the most organised grassroots football competitions in the country. Out of more than 70 aspiring teams, only 20 clubs qualify through a rigorous screening process, ensuring quality competition throughout the season.
Running from January to August, the league features 190 matches, all played at the Olubadan Stadium. Participating clubs pay between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 as registration fees, while the league offers attractive prize money: ₦1 million for the champions, ₦750,000 for runners-up, and ₦500,000 for third place.
According to the league manager, Mr Akintola Idowu, revenue is generated through registration fees, donations, gate takings, and rental income from the stadium’s lodging facilities, which currently cost ₦4,000 per night.
Mr Idowu also confirmed that the Oyo State Government has shown support for the stadium, funding major renovations of the playing field and the construction of a pavilion about two years ago. He disclosed that discussions are ongoing to further expand the stadium’s standing capacity in order to improve the matchday experience for fans.
At present, Olubadan Stadium has a seating capacity of 960, with space for an additional 600 standing spectators. While these upgrades have enhanced the facility, infrastructural challenges remain.
Despite its immense contribution to grassroots football, the stadium continues to grapple with financial limitations. Mr Idowu noted that water supply remains a major challenge due to insufficient boreholes, while the existing lodging facilities require significant upgrades.
“We hope to convert our lodge into a three-star hotel, but we currently lack the financial capacity to do so,” he said.
Yet, in spite of these challenges, Olubadan Stadium continues to serve as a breeding ground for young football talents, offering hope that the next generation of stars will emerge from its pitch.
With sustained government intervention and increased private sector investment, stakeholders believe Olubadan Stadium can evolve into a premier football venue further cementing Ibadan’s reputation as a powerhouse of Nigerian football.
