The Nigeria Football Federation is set to expand coaching education across the country after announcing plans to decentralize CAF coaching courses and bring them closer to grassroots coaches.
NFF president Ibrahim Gusau revealed the initiative on Wednesday during the closing ceremony of the CAF B License Refresher Course in Abuja, describing it as part of a broader strategy to strengthen football development at every level of the game.
For years, coaches seeking certification have often had to travel to the Federal Capital Territory to participate in training programmes. Under the new approach, courses will increasingly be organized within states, zones and local government areas, reducing logistical challenges and making coaching education more accessible.
Gusau explained that the federation now has enough qualified instructors to deliver CAF B License programmes across different parts of the country.
“You can be in your state, and the course will be at your doorstep. We need to educate our grassroots coaches. That is the way to go for holistic development of the game,” he said.
The NFF president believes coaching education has improved significantly since the current administration took office, pointing to the number of programmes organized in recent years and Nigeria’s return to the CAF A License convention.
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According to Gusau, the federation inherited a system that required substantial rebuilding but has since made notable progress in developing coaching capacity.
He also reaffirmed the NFF’s commitment to creating better opportunities for coaches and players, insisting that continuous education remains essential in an era where football is becoming increasingly technical and data driven.
The four-day CAF B Licence Refresher Course, which concluded on Wednesday, brought together 50 coaches across two separate streams. The programme forms part of the federation’s efforts to align coaching standards in Nigeria with modern football requirements and CAF guidelines.
Beyond expanding access to training, Gusau addressed concerns raised by coaches who completed CAF B Licence courses in previous years but are still awaiting their certificates.
He assured participants that discussions with CAF are ongoing and expressed confidence that all eligible coaches would eventually receive their certifications.
The issue has remained a source of frustration for several Nigerian coaches, particularly as coaching qualifications continue to play a growing role in career progression within the game.
Gusau also acknowledged that participation in CAF A Licence programmes would remain restricted because of CAF regulations. However, he stressed that the federation would continue creating educational opportunities for coaches at different levels of the football pyramid.
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The ceremony attracted several key figures within Nigerian football, including NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen, Head of Coaching Education Terry Eguaoje, Director of Media and Communications Ademola Olajire, coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf and Nigeria Football Coaches Association president Ladan Bosso.
The federation hopes that taking coaching education beyond Abuja will accelerate grassroots development, improve technical standards and create a wider pool of qualified coaches capable of nurturing the next generation of Nigerian football talent.
