Nigeria on path to football glory with FIFA Talent Development Scheme – coordinator Nasiru Jibril

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria’s football landscape is experiencing a significant transformation, thanks to the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), which has made a profound impact since its introduction in 2023.

According to Nasiru Jibril, coordinator of the FIFA TDS in Nigeria, the initiative has brought about substantial progress in the country’s football development.

“The TDS is the best thing to have happened to player discovery and development in this country in a long while,” Jibril said.

The scheme, aimed at creating a sustainable legacy for long-term player development, has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing potential superstars.

Following a scouting program conducted across ten states, 48 players have been called up to national camps and are now part of the federation’s official database.

Jibril believes the TDS will play a key role in helping Nigeria recover its former glory in youth football tournaments and enhance its performance in the years to come.

“With the TDS, we are not only on the right path but will also eradicate the ugly incidence of age-cheating,” he added.

The U15 team, which recently played friendlies in Morocco, is set to be promoted to the U16 level, with simultaneous camps running for both teams when the FIFA TDS program resumes in 2025.

As Nigeria continues to make significant strides in football development, the future of the nation’s football looks incredibly bright.