Akpabio Urges Sports Administrators to Revive Grassroots Football Development

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has renewed calls for the revival of grassroots football, stressing that Nigeria’s football future could remain uncertain unless deliberate efforts are made to identify and nurture young talents across the nation.

Akpabio made the remarks in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Senate President’s U-18 Unity Cup, a youth football tournament he initiated.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his media aide.

The tournament, which kicked off at the Old Parade Ground in Garki, Abuja, features 21 teams — 16 male and five female — drawn from different parts of the country.

Represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports Development, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Akpabio said the Unity Cup was conceived to rebuild the country’s football talent base that once produced legendary players for the national teams.

He emphasized that Nigeria’s football progress depends on early talent discovery and proper investment in youth development.

“With these young men showcasing their talents, this is the future of Nigeria. There is no way we can grow sports if we don’t return to the grassroots,” he said.

He recalled how legendary players like Stephen Keshi, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, and Tijani Babangida were discovered through grassroots competitions, which once served as vital talent incubators.

Akpabio further noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to sports development.

“I have seen tremendous signals from President Bola Tinubu in putting sports on the front burner. Therefore, sports administrators must key into this opportunity. It should not be business as usual,” he added.

The Senate President assured that the U-18 Unity Cup would be sustained annually to groom young talents capable of representing Nigeria at continental and global tournaments.

Tournament Coordinator, Hon. John Bassey Ekpenyong, commended Akpabio for recognizing the significance of grassroots competitions in nurturing youth potential.

“This initiative ensures that future generations of Nigerian youth will benefit from this platform, promoting unity, sportsmanship, and national development,” Ekpenyong said.

In the opening match, Jaguar Football Club of Abia defeated Amahus Football Club of Yobe 1–0. The tournament continues this week in Abuja.

Nigeria once thrived on grassroots football as the foundation of its national teams, particularly in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Community tournaments, inter-state school competitions, and youth academies produced football greats such as Rashidi Yekini, Stephen Keshi, Nwankwo Kanu, Daniel Amokachi, and Austin Okocha.

However, the system declined due to dwindling funding, the collapse of school sports, and the lack of structured government support for youth clubs.

This decline has led to a shrinking local talent pool, forcing national team selectors to rely increasingly on foreign-born players while local leagues struggle with low competitiveness.