Onome Ebi Joins FIFA Players Executive Programme

Former Nigeria captain, Onome Ebi, has been selected for the prestigious FIFA Players Executive Programme, a global initiative aimed at equipping current and former footballers and coaches with the skills needed to take on leadership and executive positions within the football industry.

The programme is designed to provide participants with comprehensive training in key areas such as football administration, leadership, club management, financial planning, personal branding, communication, mental well-being, and strategic decision-making.

Through the initiative, FIFA seeks to support players as they transition from active competition into influential roles within football organizations, institutions, and governance structures.

For Ebi, one of Africa’s most accomplished footballers, the opportunity marks another milestone in an illustrious career. The veteran defender holds the distinction of being the first African player—male or female—to feature in six FIFA World Cup tournaments, further cementing her legacy in the global game.

The FIFA Players Executive Programme plays a vital role in shaping the future of football by:

Preparing players for successful careers after retirement from active football.

Developing the next generation of football administrators and decision-makers.

Providing essential business, management, and leadership skills for running clubs and football institutions.

Promoting mental well-being and personal development among participants.

Encouraging former players to contribute meaningfully to the growth, governance, and sustainability of the sport.

Ebi’s inclusion in the programme reflects her continued commitment to football and her desire to remain an influential figure in the development of the game beyond her playing career.

Samuel Ahmadu

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.

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