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Football Referees: AFCON2023 Snub A National Embarrassment – Sports Minister Enoh

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has stated that the snubbing of Nigerian match officials for AFCON 2023 duties by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) represents an embarrassment that must be treated with every sense of emergency.

In a meeting held on Friday with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Nigerian Referees Association (NRA), and the board of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), the minister stated that for a nation as big as Nigeria and its rich football history, the development is not befitting and it must not be allowed to lie fallow.

In his remarks, Enoh said “With CAF releasing the names and nationalities of 85 match officials for training towards AFCON 2023, it is embarrassing that we did not have a single Nigerian on the list. As sports minister, I see this development as an emergency that we need to respond to, as quickly as possible. It gets even worse that two years ago, we only had one Nigerian official, who was an assistant referee, and two years prior, we had no centre referee.”

“We keep getting confronted by this embarrassing situation and we have allowed it to reoccur, by doing nothing on the responsibilities within our volition and the responsibilities outside our volition. Therefore, it is important to interrogate this matter, because it is a real blow to the progress of our sports,” he added.

The Minister added that sports means a lot to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as millions of Nigerians. He noted that the President has shown purpose in all areas, including the international image and representation of Nigeria. It was this purpose-driven mindset that led the President to resolve the differences between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Enoh explained.

As the ministry sought a solution to the matter, the minister opened the room for discussions with different stakeholder associations present at the meeting. The Referees’ Association was led by its chairman, Alhaji Sani Zubairu, the board of the NPFL was led by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, while the NFF was led by its deputy secretary general, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.

The meeting attendance included ex-Presidential Special Adviser on Sports, Daniel Amokachi, Chairman of Lobi Stars FC, ex-international, Dominic Iorfa, Chairman of Sokoto State Football Association, Mohammed Nasir Saidu.

Deliberations will continue towards finding a lasting solution to the issue, with actionable points for execution.

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AFCON 2025

Flying Eagles Set to Soar at U-20 AFCON 2025: What You Need to Know

AFCON 2025- Sportmarkinternational

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are back in the spotlight — and this time, it’s not just for their skill, but for what could be a legacy-defining tournament.

 

As the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off in Côte d’Ivoire on April 30, all eyes are on Nigeria’s U-20 team to deliver a performance worthy of their rich football history.

A Group of Dreams… or Nightmares?

 

Drawn in Group B alongside Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya, and Morocco, Nigeria will have to bring their A-game from the very first whistle. With only the top two teams qualifying for the semi-finals — and the top four overall earning a spot at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile — there’s no room for slow starts or second chances.

 

Why This Matters

 

For many of these players, this tournament isn’t just about national pride — it’s their audition for global stardom. Former Flying Eagles like Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho made their mark at this level before rising to international fame. Now, a new generation has the chance to follow in their footsteps.

 

And with Nigeria’s senior team facing increasing pressure to deliver results on the continental and world stage, this U-20 squad could be the spark that ignites a fresh era of football excellence.

 

The Build-Up: Preparation & Mindset

 

The team has been in intensive training, and coach Ladan Bosso has promised a squad that blends tactical discipline with flair — a classic Nigerian combo that fans love to see. With players coming from domestic clubs and a few based in Europe, the chemistry is building, and the hunger is real.

 

“We’re not just going to participate. We’re going to compete, and we’re going to win,” one of the assistant coaches declared in a recent press briefing.

 

Key Matches to Watch

 

April 30 – Nigeria vs Egypt: A must-watch opener. Both teams have pedigree, but only one can dominate the group.

 

May 3 – Nigeria vs Tunisia: Tactical battle incoming. Expect fireworks.

 

May 6 – Nigeria vs Morocco: Likely a decider. Qualification could come down to this.

 

Can Nigeria fly higher than ever before?

One thing’s for sure: when the whistle blows on April 30, the journey begins — and the whole of Africa will be watching

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Nigeria Plans Olympics-standard National Sports Festival In Ogun State

 

An Olympics-standard National Sports Festival in Abeokuta will be the true test of the ongoing reforms in the Nigerian sports sector. These were the views of National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko while virtually delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Extraordinary National Council on Sports meeting in Abeokuta today from Milan Italy.

The NSC chairman is the chairman of the National Council on Sports which comprised all the commissioners of sports and Directors of sports from across all the 36 States plus FCT and other stakeholders. It is the apex policy decision-making body for sports.

While hailing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the bold decision to scrap the Federal Ministry of Sports for the National Sports Commission and the deliberate and intentional decisions to advance sports, Mallam Dikko pointed out that this has set the tone for the reforms in the sector.

His words, “Mr. President is noted for taking very bold decisions. The decision to reintroduce the NSC was a very bold one and truly challenged us. The current status has placed sports as a national asset and the necessary legislations and regulations supporting the sector are being facilitated.

“We aligned with the President’s Renewed Hope and Shared prosperity agenda and came up with the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigerian Sports Economy (RHINSE) to anchor the reforms agenda. This has taken us to a road less-travelled. So we are no longer competition driven but we are focusing on the domestic development of our sports from the grassroots to the elite levels. Hence we have set the three Rs namely reset, refocus and relaunch as the key pillars.

“We are very deliberate with what we are doing. The private sector has to be more involved in our sports development; our infrastructure should be refurbished and upscaled while we must place more emphasis on grassroots and schools sports. We must focus on talent development. If we get this right, we can generate immense revenue through the export of talents. The target is basically to make sports a huge contributor to the nation’s economy and one of its major drivers.”

Considering this, the importance of the National Council on Sports Extraordinary Meeting cannot be overemphasized.

“All these reforms mean that the National Council on Sports has to align appropriately and ensure that the 22nd National Sports Festival to be hosted by Abeokuta should be the best ever. We should host an Olympics-standard Festival that will set a benchmark for future editions”, he said.

While welcoming the Council members to the extraordinary meeting, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Deputy Governor Enge. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, assured that the state will host a memorable Sports Festival.

He said, “National Council on Sports as the apex sports decision-making body plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of sports in our nation. This meeting will usher in the 22nd National Sports Festival Ogun 2025. Just yesterday we unveiled the official logo, theme song and mascot. All these speak to our commitment to delivering a world-class Sports Festival in May.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Ogun Wasiu Isiaka had reiterated the state’s readiness to host a memorable Sports Festival.

The ceremony reached a crescendo when Director-General of the NSC Hon. Bukola Olopade, who chaired the technical session earlier, read out the Memoranda of Understanding and proposals which was deliberated upon and approved by the Council.

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The Game Of New Thinking: How Federation Secretaries Are Powering A New Era for Nigerian Sports

BY KOLA DANIEL

There is a quiet revolution happening in Nigerian sports. At the heart of it is a bold new strategy by the National Sports Commission (NSC), and it’s beginning to yield tangible dividends. This new thinking has found expression in one of the most critical layers of the sports ecosystem—the secretaries of national sports federations.

In a move that industry observers have hailed as both strategic and timely, the NSC recently executed a major shakeup—reassigning secretaries to federations where their expertise, passion, and vision align more closely with the goals of each sport. The results are already turning heads.

One shining example is the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), where a newly launched initiative, Raising Athletics Champions Everywhere (RACE), is making waves. The project led by AFN Secretary Isreal Inwang, RACE has been approved for grant funding by World Athletics—a significant endorsement of Nigeria’s reimagined approach to grassroots sports development.

The project aims to increase grassroots participation in athletics among children aged 6 to 14 by integrating the Kids’ Athletics program into schools nationwide.

It will train 1,000 Physical Education (PE) teachers, establish sustainable athletics clubs in primary and secondary schools to engage 4,000 children, and implement a nationwide tracking system to monitor young athletes’ progression from beginner to elite level.

By reaching 774 schools per year, the project promotes inclusive access to athletics, develops young talent, and aligns with the World Plan for Athletics by expanding participation and embedding athletics into the education system.

With the right leadership and support as offered by the NSC and sports federations themselves , secretaries can drive innovation, foster talent development, and position their sports for local and international success.

These moves will see improved outcomes at respective federations.

In cricket, the Nigerian U-19 team delivered a historic performance at the World Cup, finishing 5th globally—an unprecedented feat for a country previously considered a minor player in the sport. That success didn’t just happen overnight. It was the result of meticulous planning and renewed vigor at the Nigeria Cricket Federation, where the new secretary has been instrumental in laying a foundation for global competitiveness.

Basketball, too, has seen a resurgence. After a sluggish start to the AfroBasket qualifiers, D’Tigers mounted a remarkable comeback to secure their qualification. The turnaround was not merely athletic—it was administrative. Behind the scenes, strategic planning and robust support from the federation’s secretariat played a pivotal role in ensuring Nigeria remained on course.

In para-badminton, Nigeria’s athletes soared in international circuits, clinching medals in Spain’s Toledo and Victoria tournaments, and shining again at the African Championships in Cameroon. Table tennis has followed suit, with Nigeria impressing at the ITTF circuit, securing qualification and further cementing its place as a continental powerhouse.

Meanwhile, the nation’s Paralympic athletes are proving their mettle as well—three gold medals have already been secured in Jordan at the time of reporting. These successes point to a consistent theme: sports federations are becoming better organized, more visionary, and increasingly result-driven.

Much of this transformation can be traced back to the leadership at the NSC. Under Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade, the Commission has embraced “positive disruption” as a guiding principle. Their mandate to restructure, refocus, and reset the Nigerian sports sector is paying off—not just in medals and rankings, but in restored confidence.

And indeed, they are delivering. Last month, a national age-grade swimming tournament was organized to spotlight and nurture young talent. It is part of a broader commitment to long-term planning—a shift from reactive sports administration to a sustainable model built around discovery, development, and discipline.

In this unfolding story of renewal, the federation secretaries are not just placeholders —they are visionaries, architects of a better future for Nigerian sports. Thanks to their passion, initiative, and unwavering commitment, the game of new thinking is no longer just a slogan. It is a movement—one that is powering Nigerian sports to new heights.

 

*Kola Daniel is the Special Adviser on Media to the Director General of the National Sports Commission 

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