Sports
Raliat Anako Abdulsalam: Leading the Charge for Women’s and Youth Football Development in Nigeria
Chief Mrs. Raliat Anako Abdulsalam has emerged as one of the notable female voices in Nigerian football administration, combining more than 28 years of professional experience with a sustained commitment to sports development, grassroots football, women’s empowerment and youth development.
A sports administrator, business analyst, marketer, accountant and social entrepreneur, Abdulsalam has built an impressive professional career spanning sports, particularly football and triathlon, oil and gas, information technology, entertainment and finance. Her diverse experience has provided her with the administrative, managerial and organisational expertise that continues to distinguish her contributions to football development.
At the heart of her sports development efforts is a firm belief that football should serve not only as a competitive platform but also as an avenue for empowering young people, creating opportunities and building stronger communities.
As Lagos State Chairman for Female Football Development, Abdulsalam has played an important role in promoting the growth of women’s football across the state. Through developmental programmes, training sessions and other grassroots initiatives, she has worked to create opportunities for young female footballers to develop their skills and gain greater exposure.
Her commitment to women’s football extends beyond administration. She is one of the few women in Nigeria who owns and operates a football club and academy, Lekki Junior Strikers Football Club, providing a structured platform for young players to learn, develop and pursue their football ambitions.
Through Lekki Junior Strikers, Abdulsalam has demonstrated that effective football administration goes beyond managing competitions. It involves identifying talent early, nurturing young players and creating pathways through which grassroots talent can progress to higher levels of the game.
Her work through the Raliat Anako Abdulsalam Foundation (RAAF) has further strengthened her reputation as a sports administrator with a strong social development orientation. The foundation, which focuses on community development, education, healthcare, women’s empowerment and youth development, organises the annual RAAF Lagos Female Unity Cup, a tournament designed to support and provide opportunities for female football players across Lagos State.
The tournament represents an important part of Abdulsalam’s approach to football development: using competition as a vehicle for talent identification, player development, networking and empowerment while giving young women a platform to showcase their abilities.
Her influence also extends into broader women’s empowerment initiatives. As President of Empowering Women Inspiring Prosperity Initiative and Vice President of EWIP, she continues to champion programmes aimed at improving opportunities for women and young people.
Abdulsalam’s administrative experience is complemented by an extensive corporate and public-sector background. She has served as Senior Legislative Aide to the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly and has held leadership positions including Managing Director of First Opti Plus Logistics Ltd., Chief Executive Officer of Kiddies Talent Show Nigeria and Chief Operating Officer of RT Independent Oil & Energy Limited.
This combination of corporate management, public-sector exposure and grassroots sports administration has positioned her as a versatile figure whose contribution to football extends beyond the pitch.
Academically, Abdulsalam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing and is currently pursuing a PhD. Her academic and professional background has equipped her with a strong understanding of management, finance, strategy and organisational development, all of which are increasingly important to the professionalisation of sports administration.
Her contributions to community development, women’s empowerment and sports management have earned her several recognitions and awards, further underscoring the impact of her work.
More significantly, Abdulsalam represents a growing generation of Nigerian football administrators who understand that the future of the game depends heavily on grassroots development, stronger structures and deliberate investment in women and youth.
Her work in Lagos demonstrates a model of football administration built around participation, inclusion and development. From owning and operating a football academy, to organising competitions for female players and coordinating development programmes for young footballers, she has remained closely connected to the realities of grassroots football.
At a time when Nigerian football continues to seek stronger development pathways and greater opportunities for women and young players, the contribution of administrators such as Chief Mrs. Raliat Anako Abdulsalam is particularly significant.
Her record reflects a football administrator who has not merely occupied positions but has used those positions to create platforms, develop talent and open doors for others.
Chief Mrs. Raliat Anako Abdulsalam has established herself as a reputable authority and an important stakeholder in the continuing development of Nigerian football, with more than two decades of professional experience, a growing footprint in football administration, and a sustained commitment to women and youth development.
Sports
NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu
Joel Ajayi
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.
Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.
The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.
“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.
“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”
Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.
He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.
Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.
“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.
He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.
On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.
Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.
“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”
“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.
“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.
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