Hi there,

Trust you are having the best of the week.

On Saturday, we shared the story of Cocoa House, Nigeria's and West Africa's first skyscraper. Well, later that evening, we witnessed history as Crystal Palace claimed their first-ever FA Cup at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London after beating Manchester City 1:0. Our own Eberechi Eze, scored the lone goal.

Wembley is a holy ground steeped in footballing legend. With a storied history, it isn’t just a stadium, it’s shrine of footballing and architectural excellence.

But what if I told you that Nigeria once had its own Wembley?

It is 1960 Nigeria’s year of independence and Liberty Stadium in Ibadan is completed in time for the Independence Day preparations. Born from the visionary leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and once hailed as “another Wembley,” it was the first modern stadium in West Africa and a jewel of African infrastructure.

It hosted Nigeria’s first football match under floodlights, as well as the continent’s first world boxing title bout. It was a dream to play at Liberty stadium.

Yet today, while Wembley continues to thrive, Liberty Stadium has long decayed. Today, we invite you to read the inspiring story of this once-magnificent venue, from its ground-breaking design to its current state and the legacy it leaves behind.

The SimplVest Team.

Liberty Stadium: The Story of Nigeria’s First Modern Stadium

Liberty Stadium, now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Nigeria’s first modern stadium, was once the crown jewel of West African sports infrastructure. It was hailed as one of the finest in the world and drew comparisons to London’s Wembley. It hosted Nigeria’s first football match under floodlights and one of the earliest world boxing title fights ever held on African soil.

For decades, it was a magnet for athletes and spectators across the continent and a symbol of Western Nigeria’s bold aspirations. Today, it sits in quiet decay, with its once-pristine fields now overrun by weeds.

👉 Full Story here: Liberty Stadium: The Story of Nigeria’s First Modern Stadium

ICYMI: The Story of Cocoa House, Nigeria’s First Skyscraper

At 26 storeys tall, Cocoa House was the first ever skyscraper built in West Africa. It paid homage to thousands of Cocoa Farmers whose labours had built the Western Region of Nigeria’s First Republic. It embodied Western Nigeria’s self-determination, economic vision and the tangible fruits of agricultural prosperity.

Unlike the groundnut pyramids of the Northern region that have long disappeared, Cocoa House still stands but in disrepair. But it stands nonetheless, to the memory of those who built it as the symbol of the economic aspirations of Western Nigeria.

👉 Full Story here: Cocoa House: The Story of Nigeria’s First Skyscraper

Till Wednesday,

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