Nigeria must return to grassroots to rebuild women’s football — Omidiran

Nigeria's women's football faces a critical juncture after failing to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, prompting calls for a fundamental restructuring of the sport at the grassroots level. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), emphasized the need for long-term investment and strategic planning during the opening ceremony of the 2026 FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Council Football Tournament in Abuja on Friday. Omidiran highlighted the significance of the setback, noting that Nigeria had previously participated in every edition of the Women’s World Cup since its debut in 1991. She urged stakeholders to reassess the current development system and focus on nurturing talent from an early age through improved coaching, infrastructure, and competitive opportunities. “Rebuilding women’s football in Nigeria requires more than temporary solutions,” Omidiran stated. “We need a coordinated development plan that identifies talented girls early and provides them with quality coaching, facilities, regular competitions, and clear pathways to professional football.” During the event, Omidiran praised the participation of young female athletes, emphasizing the importance of grassroots competitions in shaping the future of the sport. She expressed satisfaction at witnessing young girls competing and showcased their potential to contribute positively to the growth of women’s football. The tournament, held at the Area 3 Sports Complex in Abuja, featured teams from the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory. Defending champions Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) began their campaign with a decisive 7-0 win against Gwagwalada. Omidiran acknowledged the efforts of Pat Ajuma Ayegba, an FCT FA board member and organizer of the competition, for her dedication to promoting women’s football at the grassroots level. She encouraged others to follow suit by investing resources and energy into creating opportunities for young girls. “This is very much in line with what we started with the Girls Play Sports Initiative in 2024,” Omidiran said. “We had 64 teams competing across the different regions and zones of the country, and we brought the final here to Abuja.” The 2026 FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Council Tournament is scheduled to run from 21 August to 5 September. It includes six Area Councils divided into two groups: AMAC, Bwari, and Gwagwalada form Group A, while Abaji, Kuje, and Kwali constitute Group B. Omidiran reiterated her appeal to Nigerians to remain patient while football authorities work on addressing the challenges facing the women’s game. She stressed the necessity of building a sustainable system capable of consistently producing talents for national teams and professional clubs. The tournament serves as a platform for identifying and nurturing emerging talents, aligning with broader initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s sports in Nigeria. As the competition progresses, attention will shift towards how effectively these grassroots efforts translate into sustained success for Nigerian women's football.