The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has commended Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for the ongoing renovation and upgrading of the George Agbazika Innih Stadium (Rashid Yekini Mainbowl) in Ilorin.

Alhaji Gusau, who visited and inspected the stadium on Saturday, November 29, 2025, expressed delight with the level of work done so far, charging that the quality should be sustained ahead of the inspection by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The NFF President confirmed that the Governor had listened to the NFF's concerns about substandard stadiums. After surveying the refurbishments including the upgraded pitch, dressing rooms, medical bay, VIP stand, and media tribune Gusau declared:

"What I saw filled me with genuine optimism: a stadium renewed, not just in structure, but in spirit. The earlier criticisms of dilapidation seemed to vanish under fresh paint, smooth seats, and modern facilities."

He emphasized Kwara's importance to Nigerian football: "Kwara deserves to have the best because Kwara is the home of football."

Alhaji Gusau assured the state that once the project is completed and meets the technical requirements set by CAF, top-tier football will return to Ilorin.

"When that is done, I assure the people of Kwara that national teams will come back here to play. That's one of the benefits... If we meet the technical requirements, there is no reason Nigeria's national competitions, even continental matches, should not come back to Ilorin."

He also commended the State FA, led by Alhaji Idris Abdullahi Musa Thuraya, for showing quality leadership.

Alhaji Gusau took the opportunity during his visit to praise Nottingham Forest star, Taiwo Awoniyi, for constructing a befitting Secretariat for the Kwara State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).