The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has officially flagged off the CAF/NFF Educator Course in Abuja.
The initiative is aimed at enhancing the development of elite coaching educators in Nigeria. It is also designed with the tools to train the next generation of Nigerian coaches across various levels.
Former Super Eagles coach and current NFF Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, spoke passionately during the event, noting Nigeria’s growing leadership role in coach education across the continent.
He stated that Nigeria is the sixth nation in Africa to implement this CAF-approved coaching educators’ course and praised FIFA and CAF for their support.
“Nigeria is the sixth nation doing this in the whole of Africa. In 2023, we had some group also taking part of this Educator course as well,” Eguavoen said.
He further spoke on the importance of local knowledge and leadership in implementing the program successfully.
“So FIFA and CAF felt it was broader because of the size of our country. We will gain more and more educator coaches.”
“Again, they want us to own leadership of what we’re doing. I won’t say they’re tired, but they’re trying to help us to make progress because we understand our own thing. We understand our own people.”
“So by educating more of our people, because we breathe the same air, we speak the same language, it will be easy enough to transfer those knowledge through our upcoming coaches.”
Eguavoen concluded his remarks by reinforcing the program’s ambition to produce coaches who can influence the global football coaching landscape.
“We’re all here to make sure you go home with the best and become trainers of the world.”
Dr Muhammed Sanusi Rally Support for CAF/NFF Educator Course
Also speaking at the event, the General Secretary of the National Sports Commission, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, expressed delight at the program’s continuity and potential to reshape the future of football coaching in Nigeria.
Sanusi revealed that he was part of the program’s earlier cohort and emphasized the need for participants to take the experience seriously.
“We’re very glad that we’re having this program this time. This is the second module we’re having, and I was fortunate to be among the first beneficiaries of this program,” Sanusi said.
He added that the course would not just be theoretical but would involve strict assessments of all participants.
“So at the end of the program, you are going to be graded. Those that have done excellent well will have opportunity to handle class courses.”
“So it’s not just to sit down, listen to the lecture. At the end of the day, you want to be graded to teach all courses or to educate what is without which of the requirement.”
Dr. Sanusi urged all participants to approach the program with the seriousness it deserves.
“So we expect that at the end of this program your life will not remain the same.”
A Strategic Move for Domestic Coaching Empowerment
The CAF/NFF Educator Course aligns with the NFF’s broader strategic framework to raise domestic coaching standards, reduce dependence on foreign expertise, and localize football development through technical education.
It is also a move aimed at bolstering coaching capacity and deepening grassroots football education in Nigeria.
