Akpabio Pushes For Revival Of Grassroots Football Across Nigeria

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged sports administrators to focus on grassroots football development, warning that Nigeria’s football future could remain uncertain without deliberate efforts to nurture young talents from the local level.

Akpabio made the appeal in Abuja during the opening of the second edition of the Senate President’s U-18 Unity Cup, a youth football tournament he initiated to promote early talent discovery. A statement released on Monday by his media aide confirmed the event’s commencement.

The tournament, taking place at the Old Parade Ground in Garki, features 21 teams — 16 male and five female — drawn from various parts of the country. Represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Akpabio said the initiative aims to rebuild the grassroots system that once produced Nigeria’s football legends.

He said that identifying and investing in young players was crucial to restoring the nation’s football glory, recalling that past stars such as Stephen Keshi, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Daniel Amokachi, and Tijani Babangida all emerged from similar community tournaments.

Akpabio also commended President Bola Tinubu’s growing interest in sports, urging administrators to align with the government’s renewed focus. He assured that the U-18 Unity Cup would remain an annual event dedicated to grooming future national and international players.

Tournament Coordinator, Hon. John Bassey Ekpenyong, praised Akpabio’s commitment to youth development through football, describing the competition as a platform for promoting unity, sportsmanship, and national progress.

In the opening match, Jaguar FC of Abia defeated Amahus FC of Yobe 1–0. The tournament continues this week in Abuja, rekindling hopes for the rebirth of Nigeria’s once-vibrant grassroots football culture.