Stakeholders Back Ben Akwuegbu for Bigger NFF Role After Sports Philanthropy Honour

Former Nigeria’s senior men’s national team striker Benedict “Ben” Akwuegbu has received growing backing from football stakeholders and enthusiasts calling on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to entrust him with a more prominent role in the development of Nigerian football.

The calls intensified after Akwuegbu was named Most Valuable Sports Philanthropist of the Year 2026 at the fourth edition of the Sports Legendary Awards (SLA), in recognition of his outstanding humanitarian efforts and unwavering commitment to sports development and community empowerment.

Many football enthusiasts believe Akwuegbu’s wealth of experience as a former international, football administrator and club owner positions him to make meaningful contributions to strengthening the country’s football structure.

The former Super Eagles forward is the proprietor of Akwuegbu FC, a club competing in the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO). He previously served as Assistant General Manager of Heartland FC, where he played a key role during the club’s back-to-back Nigeria Premier Football League title-winning campaigns. He currently serves as Technical Director of Mighty Jets FC and is also a consultant to Plateau United.

Organised by Celebrity Sports Magazine, the Sports Legendary Awards took place at the Chelsea Hotel in Abuja, bringing together leading athletes, sports administrators, business executives, policymakers and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s sports industry.

According to the organisers, Akwuegbu earned the prestigious honour for his sustained commitment to youth development, philanthropy and community service. They described him as a role model whose influence extends far beyond his achievements on the football pitch.

While presenting the award, the organisers praised his dedication to nurturing young football talents and using sports as a vehicle for creating opportunities, empowering communities and driving positive social change.

In his acceptance speech, Akwuegbu expressed gratitude to the organisers and dedicated the award to everyone who has supported his football journey and humanitarian initiatives.

“This recognition is deeply humbling. Football gave me a platform, but true success is measured by the positive impact we make in the lives of others. I dedicate this award to the young people who continue to dream, and I encourage everyone in the sports community to keep giving back to society,” he said.

The Sports Legendary Awards annually celebrate athletes, administrators, philanthropists and other stakeholders whose contributions have advanced sports and positively impacted communities across Nigeria.

The latest honour further strengthens Akwuegbu’s reputation as one of Nigerian football’s respected figures, with his influence continuing to grow through youth empowerment, football development and charitable initiatives, while calls mount for the NFF to harness his experience for the benefit of the nation’s football.

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.

See Full Bio