Former Sports Minister Ibrahim Nyelenkeh has defended his role in the $40 million renovation of Siaka Stevens Stadium, saying he pushed to include spectator seating and has no regrets about signing the agreement.
Nyelenkeh made the remarks during a recent media interview on Sunday, October 11, 2026, as questions continue over the stadium’s delayed completion and the arrangements governing the rehabilitation project.
He said the original contract was valued at $32 million before he approached the Chinese ambassador to advocate for including seating, which he argued would reduce pressure on the stadium’s main bowl.
According to Nyelenkeh, the additional provision raised the project’s value to $40 million.
The former minister said the agreement was discussed with several government officials, including the attorney general, the permanent secretary serving as his principal adviser, and engineers from the Ministry of Works.
He maintained that the consultations and the public coverage of the signing ceremony should help clarify the circumstances surrounding the agreement.
Nyelenkeh also said he attempted to have the project’s expenditure audited while he was in office. However, he claimed that those approached declined, saying the audit was not their responsibility. He provided no documentary evidence during the interview to independently establish the circumstances of that request.
The former minister rejected suggestions that he regretted signing the contract, arguing that the rehabilitation would provide Sierra Leone with improved sporting infrastructure and opportunities to generate revenue from the complex.
He further said the stadium facilities had been placed under a privatization arrangement before he left office, although implementation was still pending.
However, a procurement notice issued by the Ministry of Sports in August 2026 invited expressions of interest from private partners to operate, maintain and manage the National Stadium Complex. The notice indicates that the selection process was still underway, rather than confirming that a private operator had already taken control of the entire facility.
Nyelenkeh predicted that Sierra Leone would regain its national stadium by June 2027. The date was his forecast during the interview and has not been independently established as an official completion deadline.
The $40 million rehabilitation project, funded by China, was launched in February 2022. Its scope includes the main stadium bowl, training facilities, swimming pool, athletics track, hostel and other sporting facilities.
In July 2026, the National Sports Authority said the installation of plastic seats remained necessary before the main stadium could receive approval to host international matches. The authority also identified issues involving the stadium’s car park and surrounding areas as obstacles to compliance with international requirements.
The prolonged rehabilitation has affected Sierra Leone’s ability to host international football matches at the venue, with the national team having played fixtures abroad during the closure.
Nyelenkeh’s comments renew attention on the original contract, the decisions surrounding spectator seating and the project’s accountability arrangements. The original agreement, any amendments and the project’s expenditure records would be necessary to independently establish the full circumstances behind the cost increase and subsequent delays.