The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially launched the CAF B-Licence Coaching Course at the NFF-FIFA Technical Centre within the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The event, held on Monday, was inaugurated by NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), marking a significant milestone for the development of football coaching in Nigeria.
Expressing his excitement, Gusau highlighted the importance of this initiative for the growth of Nigerian football, noting that the course had been in the planning stages for some time.
“Today is a day of great joy for me,” he said. “It is fulfilling to see this initiative come to fruition. It is also an honor to welcome coaches from other nations who are participating in this important training program.”
The NFF President commended the NFF Technical Department, headed by Coach Augustine Eguavoen, for their hard work in organizing the course. He encouraged the participants to focus fully on the course, emphasizing its potential to enhance their coaching skills.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for personal and professional development,” Gusau added. “By the end of the year, we aim to launch the CAF A-License program, and with the commitment of the Technical Department, I am confident that we will achieve this goal.”
In his remarks, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, underscored the importance of the coaching program for improving the quality of football in Nigeria. He stressed that without elite coaches, the performance of Nigerian teams both domestically and internationally would be compromised.
“The goal is to ensure that our coaches are equipped with modern techniques and strategies, and most importantly, are certified. Without a B-License, coaches cannot participate in international competitions such as inter-club tournaments,” Sanusi explained.
The CAF B-Licence Coaching Course, a key component of the NFF’s strategic plan to elevate coaching standards in Nigeria, spans four months and will be conducted in a series of modules. A total of 25 participants are enrolled in this first batch of the course.
Among the notable attendees at the launch were NFF 2nd Vice President and Chairman of the NPFL, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa; Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme; NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen; and other senior NFF officials, including former Nigerian international players Abdulrafiu Yusuf and Nasiru Jibril, and Head of Coaching Education, Dr. Terry Eguaoje.
The NFF remains committed to investing in the development of coaching in Nigeria as part of its broader efforts to enhance the nation’s footballing prospects at both domestic and international levels.
