Omidiran: Nigeria Must Rebuild Women’s Football From The Grassroots
Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup has exposed the need to rethink how the country develops female football talent, Federal Character Commission (FCC) Chairman Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran has said.
Omidiran spoke on Friday at the opening of the 2026 FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Council Football Tournament in Abuja, where defending champions AMAC thrashed Gwagwalada 7-0.
She called for sustained investment in grassroots football, including early talent identification, quality coaching, facilities and regular competitions that can provide young players with a pathway to professional football and the national teams.
“This is the time for us to rebuild women’s football in Nigeria. We need to go back to the grassroots and invest properly in the development of our girls,” she said.
The former Nigeria Football Federation executive member urged Nigerians to remain calm as football authorities consider measures to address the challenges facing the women’s game.
Omidiran also praised FCT FA board member Pat Ajuma Ayegba, who initiated the Inter-Area Council competition, for her investment in grassroots women’s football.
She said the tournament fits into her Girls Play Sports Initiative, launched in 2024 to promote girls’ participation in sports.
The FCT tournament, running from August 21 to September 5, features all six Area Councils. AMAC, Bwari and Gwagwalada are in Group A, while Abaji, Kuje and Kwali make up Group B.
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