Former Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare has praised the Nigerian National League (NNL) for what he described as impressive progress in the country’s second-tier football competition.
Dare, who currently serves as Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, made the remarks while attending the 2026 NNL Super 4 tournament in Ikenne.
The veteran journalist and technology enthusiast said he is optimistic about the continued transformation of Nigerian football across all league levels.
He specifically applauded the leadership of NNL chairman and respected sports journalist, George Aluo, noting that the league has shown significant improvement in recent years.
Reflecting on the excitement he witnessed during the 2025 Super 8 tournament in Asaba, Delta State, Dare expressed confidence that the current edition would deliver even greater success.
“The NNL is doing very well, and that is why I identify with its programmes. I also commend the NFF for the progress recorded in the domestic leagues. The transformation happening in the NNL is equally visible in the NPFL,” Dare stated.
According to him, the positive changes in the domestic football structure align with President Tinubu’s vision of using sports as a tool for national development.
Dare remains widely respected for introducing several reforms and innovations during his time as Nigeria’s Minister of Sports.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
