Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria. The first recorded football match took place in 1904.

This passion led to building the Lagos National Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium built in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. The structure also includes an Olympic-size swimming arena and a multipurpose arena for various sports.

The stadium, built in 1972 when Lagos was the federal capital of Nigeria, had a capacity of 55,000 spectators. The capacity was reduced several years later to 45,000. 

The work hosted several international competitions including the 1980 African Cup of Nations final.