Nigeria: NANS Disowns Protest Threat Over Super Eagles Coach Appointment

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has disassociated itself from a purported threat of protest over the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

In a statement released in Ibadan on Friday, NANS Senate President, Babatunde Akinteye, described the claims made by one Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo as baseless and fraudulent, asserting that Odunayo is not affiliated with the organization in any official capacity.

Akinteye urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the public to disregard the alleged threat of protest, labeling it the work of impostors attempting to exploit the name of NANS for personal gain.

“The attention of the leadership of NANS has been drawn to a frivolous and mischievous report credited to one Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, who claims to be the Clerk of the NANS Senate, wherein he purportedly threatened a nationwide protest over the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles,” Akinteye said.

The Senate President emphasized that no organ of NANS has proposed or endorsed any protest against Chelle’s appointment.

He called for security agencies to investigate the individuals behind the claims, accusing them of impersonation and attempting to incite unrest. “Their recklessness constitutes a direct affront to the credibility and integrity of NANS as an institution,” he added.

Akinteye further expressed NANS’ respect for the NFF’s authority to make technical decisions regarding the national team.

He urged the Federation to stay firm in its choices and suggested expanding scouting efforts to Nigerian campuses to identify and develop homegrown football talent.

“By creating a pipeline that identifies, develops, and promotes homegrown players, the Federation will be making a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian football,” he stated.

Concluding the statement, Akinteye reaffirmed that the alleged protest was a fabrication by impostors with questionable motives, reiterating NANS’ commitment to advancing the interests of Nigerian students and supporting professional decisions that benefit the nation’s football development.