By Samson Obande, Lafia

Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, has approved the immediate construction of five new mini-football stadiums across Toto, Wamba, Keffi, Kokona, and Doma Local Government Areas.

The Governor announced the decision on Friday, July 3, 2026, in Toto, while attending the grand finale of an inter-ward football competition organized to mark the birthday of the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government Barr. Labaran Shuaibu Magaji PhD, the Matawelen Toto and his Empowerment and Development Foundation.

The final match between Ugya United FC and host side Toto Elephant FC ended 1-0 in favour of Toto Elephant after a penalty shootout.

Governor Sule presented a cash prize of N5 million to the winners, Toto Elephant FC, and N3 million to runners-up, Ugya United FC. Each team also received N500,000 from Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada. The Foundation also awarded scholarships and empowerment grants to 300 women and youths.

Commending the players for choosing to play in Toto despite the poor state of the pitch, the Governor said the crowd turnout underscored the community’s passion for football.

“I feel bad looking at the nature of the field and the way the people of Toto love football; for us not to have a stadium in Toto is a shame,” Sule said.

“By Monday, I will give the contract for the establishment of Mini-Stadiums in five local government areas… Toto, Kokona, Doma, Wamba and Keffi and Kokona.

He explained that the projects were already in the pipeline but lacked funding until now. “The people of Toto have forced the resources out of us. We are going into our savings to actually bring the resources out because of the people of Toto and because of our SSG for what he has done,” he added.

The Governor lauded the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, SAN, for his role in highlighting Toto’s needs, including the singlehanded renovation of the Toto Police Division Headquarters.

“You did the facelift singlehandedly because you want security for Toto and you even invited the Commissioner of Police to be here,” Sule said.

Governor Sule also assured residents that landscaping of the newly completed neighbourhood market in Toto would commence soon. He added that the Toto–Umaisha Road would be completed within the next three months, following financial mobilisation of the contractor.

He described the turnout at the Toto finale as exceptional, saying, “Even when Nasarawa United is playing, I rarely see the kind of crowd I saw in Toto during the grand finale.”