Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on Nigerian sports administrators to return to the foundation of the country’s football success through a renewed commitment to Grassroots Football Revival in Nigeria. He warned that without deliberate investment in youth development, the future of Nigerian football would remain uncertain.
Speaking in Abuja during the launch of the second edition of the Senate President’s U-18 Unity Cup, Akpabio highlighted that Nigeria’s golden era of football was built on community-level competitions and structured talent discovery programs.
Represented by Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development, Akpabio explained that the Unity Cup was conceived to reignite this vital pipeline of talent.
“In times past, the Late Keshis, the Okochas, the Kanus, the Amokachis, the Ikpebas… who brought glory to Nigeria, were discovered in these kinds of tournaments,” he said.
The Senate President emphasized that the country’s football administrators must take practical steps to identify and nurture young talents from rural and urban communities alike.
He outlined key priorities for the revival of Nigerian football:
- Talent Identification: Scouts and coaches should focus on discovering young players at local levels through school competitions and regional tournaments.
- Sustained Support: Akpabio promised that the U-18 Unity Cup would be an annual event to continually provide a platform for nurturing future stars.
- Leveraging Political Will: With the Federal Government prioritizing sports development, administrators must seize the opportunity to transform the system and ensure accountability in sports governance.
The Grassroots Football Revival in Nigeria initiative is seen as a critical step toward rebuilding the strong foundation that once made Nigeria a powerhouse in African football. With renewed political backing and structured programs, stakeholders hope to restore the nation’s football glory from the grassroots up.
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