It is the season of World Cup and therefore AutoReportNG decided to do a reportage of some of sports edifices in Nigeria and so far the only stadium that is worthy of mention is the Akwa Ibom Stadium. The stadium is a world class 30,000 capacity stadium that is considered one of the finest stadium(s) in Africa. The inauguration was in 2014 and it was inaugurated by three heads of States – President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire.

“The stadium is a two-tiered structure and this includes a 400m-running track for athletic events and is the pilot part of Uyo Sports Park development. It sits on 36.3 hectares of land and is enclosed by a white triangular-shaped outer covering that encircles the whole stands. According to the main contractor, Julius Berger Nig PLC, the biggest challenge was the design and structural realization of the stadium shell, which consists of prefabricated triangular acrylic glass elements with randomly arranged “eye-shaped” openings.

The rectangular steel frames bearing the point-fixed acrylic glass elements, simultaneously serve as a diagonal reinforcement of the crescent-shaped steel framework.