Lobi Stars Unveil Bala Nikyu as Head Coach, Set Sights on NPFL Return

Lobi Stars Football Club has officially unveiled Coach Bala Nikyu as its new Head Coach, marking the beginning of a new era for the Makurdi-based side as it intensifies efforts to secure an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The unveiling ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at McCarthy Stadium in Makurdi, attracting the club’s management, technical crew, players, staff, and members of the media. The event underscored the club’s renewed commitment to rebuilding and achieving promotion back to Nigeria’s top-flight league.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lobi Stars Chairman, Simon Terver Ikya, described the occasion as a defining moment for the club rather than just a routine unveiling. He said the appointment reflects a fresh direction and a collective determination to restore the Pride of Benue to its rightful place in Nigerian football.

Ikya praised Coach Nikyu’s extensive experience and strong understanding of the domestic game, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the club’s revival. He also called on players, officials, and supporters to give the new coach their full support.

The chairman further commended Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for his unwavering support of the club, assuring that the management would continue to justify the confidence reposed in them by the government and the people of the state.

Coach Nikyu arrives at Lobi Stars with an impressive track record, having guided Nasarawa United back to the NPFL during the 2023/2024 season. A CAF A Licence holder with more than a decade of coaching experience, he pledged to build a lasting legacy at the club while focusing on hard work, discipline, and positive results.

“I am fully committed to this responsibility,” Nikyu said, adding that his team’s style and ambitions would ultimately be reflected through performances on the pitch.

During the media interaction, Chairman Ikya disclosed that 17 players have been retained from the previous squad, while additional signings are expected to strengthen the team ahead of the new campaign. He reiterated that the club’s primary objective remains securing promotion back to the NPFL.

In his closing remarks, Club Secretary Terzungwe Chugh thanked the outgoing coaching crew and backroom staff for their contributions. He urged the new technical team to work in unity and ensure Lobi Stars reclaim their place among Nigeria’s elite football clubs.

The ceremony concluded with the official signing of Coach Nikyu’s contract, conducted by Chairman Simon Terver Ikya, before the new coach was formally introduced to the players, management, and staff.

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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