The Nasarawa State Government has prohibited the playing of football matches and other recreational games within school premises, except on designated football pitches, as part of measures to safeguard public infrastructure from vandalism.
The directive was announced on Monday by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, during the state's bi-monthly press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Lafia.
Ahemba disclosed that the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had abolished the practice of allowing football matches in open areas within school compounds following repeated incidents of damage to school buildings and facilities.
According to him, the decision became necessary after government observed that football activities conducted indiscriminately within school premises had resulted in the destruction of roofs, classrooms and other public infrastructure.
He explained that while pupils would continue to enjoy sporting activities, such activities must be confined to officially designated football pitches within schools.
"The school football pitch is available for pupils to play. What has been prohibited is the use of other parts of the school premises for football matches, which has led to damage to school facilities," he said.
Ahemba further directed individuals and groups outside the school community to make use of public stadiums instead of school compounds for football matches.
To support the policy, he disclosed that the state government recently awarded contracts for the construction of five mini-stadiums across Nasarawa State to provide alternative sporting facilities for residents.
He urged school administrators and heads of educational institutions to ensure strict compliance with the directive, stressing that the policy is aimed at preserving public assets, improving learning environments and preventing further destruction of government-owned school infrastructure.
