The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that Ogun State will host the 2025 WAFU B Under-17 Championship, following the successful bid for the regional tournament’s hosting rights.
Speaking during a visit to Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun in Abeokuta, NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau confirmed the news, stating that the decision was ratified in his capacity as acting president of the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Zone B.
“The Sports Complex will also host Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Togo, Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria in the WAFU B Under-17 Championship in September 2025,” Gusau revealed.
“I have informed WAFU that we are going to host it here in Ogun State.”
The tournament, which serves as a key qualifying event for the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, will bring together seven West African nations alongside hosts Nigeria for a week-long competition expected to boost youth football development and drive sports tourism in the region.
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, who have missed out on the last two FIFA U-17 World Cups and failed to qualify for the 2025 U-17 AFCON, will be looking to redeem themselves on home soil.
The five-time U-17 World Cup champions and two-time African champions will aim to reignite their legacy in front of their home fans.
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Gusau praised Ogun State for its readiness and facilities, particularly the recently upgraded Moshood Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, which is expected to be a central venue for the tournament.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and the Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun. Photo Credit: X
The hosting rights are viewed as a significant milestone in spreading major football events beyond the traditional strongholds of Lagos and Abuja.
Governor Abiodun, in his remarks, thanked the NFF for its support and emphasized the state’s growing sports economy.
He said, “We will build an economy around sports, and I want to thank you for supporting us in that. Besides that, we are going to host the All-African Under-18 and Under-20 Athletics Championships in July, which will take place here because of the facilities we now have.”
Abiodun also expressed excitement over the upcoming international matches, including the Super Falcons’ friendly against Cameroon at the Moshood Abiola Sports Complex in June, noting that these events will strengthen the sports economy in Ogun.
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“You have also announced that there will be a few matches played here, and we are very excited about that. This will help us strengthen the sports economy that we have begun, to ensure we sustain this stadium that we have built,” he said.
In a further commitment to sports, the Governor pledged that his administration would ensure the state-owned football team returns to its former glory.
“Our state-owned team will receive all the support it needs to reclaim its rightful place among Nigeria’s top football sides,” he promised.
