Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has reaffirmed the corps‘ commitment to supporting the Super Eagles and collaborating with the Nigeria National League (NNL) to advance Nigerian football.
He conveyed this during a courtesy visit from Mr. George Aluo, chairman of the NNL, and his delegation at the NYSC headquarters located in Yakubu Gowon House, Abuja.
Highlighting the role of the NYSC, which comprises recent graduates undertaking a mandatory one-year national service, Nafiu emphasized the corps’ potential to strengthen the fan base for the Super Eagles as they approach a pivotal phase in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Additionally, the Director-General revealed that the NYSC football team is preparing to compete in Nigeria’s professional football league. He assured that the NYSC is eager to work closely with the NNL to foster the growth of football across the nation.
“I appreciate the NNL board’s dedication to transforming the landscape of Nigerian football. I have been monitoring the progress of your league and commend the remarkable improvements made in the second-tier competition over the last two years. We are enthusiastic about partnering with the NNL to further elevate football development in Nigeria,” he stated.
“As an institution responsible for guiding young graduates through their compulsory service year, the NYSC will consistently support our national teams, particularly the Super Eagles, as they aim to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.”
Expressing confidence in the NYSC football squad, currently competing in Nationwide League One, Nafiu predicted their imminent promotion to the professional league, noting the exceptional talent among the young players representing the corps.
Earlier, Mr. George Aluo, the NNL chairman, explained that the visit was motivated by the shared mission of both organizations to unite the country.
“This visit is significant because both our organizations play a unifying role in Nigeria. While the NYSC promotes integration among youths from diverse ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, football similarly serves as a powerful tool for unity. This common goal underscores the importance of collaboration between our institutions,” he remarked.
