AYODELE THOMAS: WHY NIGERIA MUST INVEST IN YOUTH, WOMEN AND AMATEUR FOOTBALL

By

Princewill Oviesan Deduke

At a time when Nigerian football is searching desperately for direction, answers and a pathway out of its growing crisis, prominent football stakeholder Ayodele Thomas stepped forward with a bold and unfiltered assessment of the game.
With Nigerian football facing serious questions over leadership, funding, youth development, women’s football

and the future of the Nigeria Football Federation, Thomas did not shy away from the difficult conversations. From the grassroots to the corridors of football administration, he offered strong opinions on why the nation’s most popular sport has struggled to reach its enormous potential.

Please listen to the full interview 👇☄️

Ayodele Thomas, took centre stage in a highly engaging and interactive interview offering his candid views on the pressing issues surrounding the current state of Nigerian football.

Thomas, a FIFA Licensed Football Agent, sports administrator and professional real estate consultant, is widely recognised for his leadership across the sports management and estate management sectors. He is the Founder, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TopPro Sport Management Ltd, also known as TopPro Sports Consultant.

Taking time to introduce himself and his journey, Thomas went on to reel out some of the major challenges confronting Nigerian football, describing the present state of the game as being at one of its lowest ebbs.

The conversation touched on the critical issue of football funding, particularly the need for deliberate and sustainable investment in women’s football. Thomas also spoke extensively about youth development, stressing that Nigeria must return to the grassroots if it hopes to build a sustainable football future.

On sports administration, he expressed confidence in the leadership of DG Bukola Olopade and Mallam Shehu Dikko, describing them as among the best hands to lead the National Sports Commission and help reposition Nigerian sports.

Thomas was equally direct on the issue of “sit-tight” Football Association chairmen who have remained in office for over two decades, questioning whether such lengthy tenures have produced the desired growth and development across the game.

His assessment of the combustible situation within Nigerian football, particularly as it concerns the Nigeria Football Federation, was frank and thought-provoking. He called for genuine reforms, accountability and a new direction capable of restoring confidence in the administration of the game.

The discussion also addressed growing speculation and name-dropping over who could head a possible Normalisation Committee expected to help steer Nigerian football towards a new era.

For Thomas, the way forward remains clear: proper funding, transparent leadership, serious investment in women’s and youth football, grassroots development and genuine reforms.

His final message to Nigerian football stakeholders and lovers of the game was simple but powerful — Nigeria has the talent and potential to rise again, but only if the right decisions are made today.

It was a compelling, honest and highly interactive conversation — a strong call for a football revolution Nigeria can no longer afford to ignore.