The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approved the appointment of Akeem Busari as the new head coach of the U-17 female national team, the Flamingos, as part of efforts to strengthen women’s football development.
The decision, endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee, followed a recommendation from the federation’s Technical and Development Committee.
Busari replaces Bankole Olowookere, who led the team to a historic bronze medal finish at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.
Busari, currently head coach of Pacesetter Queens FC of Ibadan, is widely regarded as an experienced tactician with a deep understanding of the women’s game.
His immediate assignment will be to guide the Flamingos through the qualification series for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Morocco.
Nigeria’s U-17 girls are set to face the winner of the preliminary fixture between Niger Republic and Guinea, with the first leg slated to take place away from home later next month.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the NFF Disciplinary Committee has overturned a previous ruling by the Nigeria National League in a protest involving Jigawa Golden Stars FC and Yobe Desert Stars FC.
The committee found that Yobe Desert Stars fielded an ineligible player, Shedrack John, who had accumulated three yellow cards prior to the match in question—one while playing for Ranchers Bees FC and two with Yobe Desert Stars.
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According to the findings, the NNL failed to conduct a thorough investigation before reaching its earlier decision.
The league’s Chief Operating Officer, Danlami Alanana, reportedly admitted this oversight before the disciplinary panel.
As a result, the NFF Disciplinary Committee ruled in favour of Jigawa Golden Stars, awarding them three points and three goals, effectively nullifying the earlier decision by the NNL.
The committee emphasized that its ruling does not preclude the right of appeal by any of the parties involved.
The meeting was attended by Chairman Barrister JBC Obikwelu, Vice Chairman Barrister Abdulrahman I. Abdulrahman, and members Barrister Wole Ademoyegun and Barrister Bello Galadi, with Queen W. Otarakpo serving as Secretary.
The dual decisions highlight ongoing efforts by the NFF to strengthen both technical leadership in national teams and uphold discipline and fairness within domestic competitions.
