Nigerian Football
Adieu Buhari: A President Football Truly Loved
From U-17 World Cup Triumphs to a National Sports Legacy, Buhari’s Era Marked a Golden Chapter in Nigerian Football
By FEMI ADESINA
The late Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, recorded some landmark achievements during his time in office, both as military and democratically elected leader.
Significantly, the two Under-17 World Cup victories we had were won under him, 30 year apart. The first was in Beijing, China, under the Nduka Ugbade led team, while the other was in 2015, and it was there that Victor Osimhen burst into limelight, scoring 10 goals, and winning the Golden Boot.
As Military Head of State, Buhari cut short his vacation to receive the victorious Golden Eaglets in August 1985.
In January 2016, the President declared that football loved him, despite that he didn’t play the game as a young man.
“I was too thin. While my classmates like Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (former Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters) were stocky enough to play football, I opted for hockey,” he recalled.
“If I played football, I could easily have been broken to pieces. But with hockey, if you hit me with your stick, I could easily hit back.”
Buhari had been given the Glo/CAF Platinum Award for Good Leadership, conferred in recognition of his support for football, which resulted in Nigeria winning two major international tournaments in 2015.
While receiving the World Cup-bound Super Eagles in 2018, Buhari challenged them to play fair and clean football at the Russia 2018.
The then Minister for Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung received the award on his behalf, and while handing it over at the State House, President Buhari had declared: “Thirty years after winning the Under-17 trophy, Nigeria won again last year. What a fabulous coincidence. I think football loves me.”
The President recalled the reception given to the 1985 team, led by himself, his deputy, Tunde Idiagbon, and the Sports Minister, Samson Omeruah.
Dalung said: “Under your administration, we have won the Under-17 World Cup, and we also won the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations last year. We have had very good fortune in football since you came to office, and the sports family is very happy.”
Other soccer laurels won under Buhari in eight years include the 2016 Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations for Women (Flamingos), the 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (Super Falcons).
Yet others include the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations (Super Falcons), 2019 WAFU Zone B Women’s Cup, (Super Falcons).
The Falconets, also in 2019 won the Africa Games Women’s Football. In his second term in office, under Chief Sunday Dare as sports minister, President Buhari approved the Nigeria Sports Industry Policy (NSIP), designed to unlock the enormous potentials of sports as economic driver.
He also approved the 10-year Football Masterplan, which is a blueprint for rebuilding the country’s football from the grassroots to global glory.
Adieu, President Buhari. Football truly loves you.
*Adesina served as media adviser to President Buhari, 2015-2023
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Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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