Football Stakeholders in Nigeria have committed to FIFA’s new initiatives for talent discovery. A stakeholder workshop on the FIFA Talent Development Scheme took place in Nigeria’s federal capital, Abuja, on Thursday.
In the dynamic gathering in Abuja, stakeholders expressed unwavering commitment to FIFA’s groundbreaking initiatives for talent discovery and nurturing. NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, emphasized that the FIFA Talent Development Scheme aligns with the vision of the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led NFF administration, aiming to unearth football talents from grassroots levels.
“This is a welcome development for federations like our own that are interested in growing the game from the grassroots. This workshop has the objective of enlightening all stakeholders on the scheme and to let them know the various aspects in which they have to support the Federation and where the Federation will support them.”
The workshop, attended by dignitaries such as Sports Development Minister Representative Senator John Enoh, NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and other key figures, focused on enlightening stakeholders about the scheme’s various aspects. Dr. Sanusi highlighted the importance of collaboration between stakeholders and the Federation to support mutual growth.
As part of his Vision 2030, Gusau passionately urged stakeholders to engage in the rigorous process of discovering and nurturing talents, emphasizing the significance of FIFA’s decision to host the FIFA U17 World Cup annually from 2025. He emphasized the need for discipline, dedication, and integrity in the talent development process, with a commitment to eradicating age cheating at the youth level.
“You can now see that we have no alternative to doing the hard work and to do the work we have been elected to do with great energy, enthusiasm and diligence. The ethos of discipline, dedication and integrity must be enthroned, and we must commit to eliminating the scourge of age cheating at youth level.”
FIFA High-Performance specialists Abdul Faisal Chibsah and Amit Desai reassured stakeholders, pledging global monitoring of the scheme’s sincerity, credibility, and sustainability. NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen elaborated on the long-term talent discovery plan, outlining strategic focus areas.
Breakout groups, led by football luminaries including Dr. Olusegun Odegbami and Professor Olawale Morounkola, presented their findings with a focus on identifying and nurturing genuinely young talents through a sustainable process. The workshop marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s dedication to maintaining a prominent position in global U17 football, aligning with FIFA’s innovative approach to talent development.
Dignitaries and stakeholders included a representative of Sports Development Minister, Senator John Enoh; the Director General of the National Institute for Sports, Professor Olawale Morounkola; Member of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Aminu Balele Kurfi; President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau; NFF’s two vice presidents Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu and Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; Chairman of NFF Technical Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa; former NFF Board Member, High Chief Emeka Inyama; representatives of chairmen of the Senate Committee on Sports in both houses of the National Assembly; chairmen and secretaries of the State Football Associations; NFF Management and Staff; eminent coaches; former Nigeria international players including Dr. Olusegun Odegbami; former General Secretaries of the NFF Ambassador Fanny Amun and Barr. Musa Amadu; chieftains of the various Leagues; Super Falcons’ captain Onome Ebi; proprietors of leading football academies; sports marketing gurus and; prominent media personalities.
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