Orji Kalu Advocates Coaching Stability, Structural Reforms to Revive Nigerian Football

By Ranmilowo Ojalumo 

The Senator representing Abia North, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu has called for stability in coaching appointments and long-term planning as key steps toward restoring Nigeria’s football fortunes.

Kalu made the remarks on Wednesday after participating in legislative proceedings at the Nigerian Senate, where lawmakers passed the Electoral Act 2026 before proceeding to the Senate Committee on Sports budget defence session.

The session, chaired by Senator Abdul Ningi, was attended by the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, alongside other stakeholders in the sports sector.

Speaking during the meeting, Kalu shared what he described as the “winning formula” he applied during his tenure as Governor of Abia State, when Enyimba Football Club won back-to-back CAF Champions League titles.

According to the lawmaker, as shared in his social media handle, frequent dismissal of coaches has continued to undermine the growth of Nigerian football, stressing that stability remains essential for sustained success.

“We must stop the culture of constantly sacking coaches. Stability builds success,” he said, adding that fairness in player selection must also be prioritised by giving equal opportunities to both home-based and foreign-based players without preferential treatment.

Kalu further recommended the appointment of two strong technical directors to support coaching crews, while urging authorities to eliminate external interference in technical decisions.

He explained that when coaches are allowed sufficient time to build a solid first team alongside a dependable reserve squad, and properly integrate players, positive results would naturally follow.

The former Abia governor maintained that Nigerian football has the potential to regain its former glory but requires discipline, structured administration, fairness, and consistent long-term planning.