Sports

FCT Minister Lauds FOSLA Academy, Pledges Support

Published

5 years ago

July 15, 2021

…Our target is to be the best in the world-Sani Lulu

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory Administration Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has heaped a huge praise on the FOSLA Football Academy for its struggle to make FCT proud, urging them not to relent in their oar toward making Nigeria’s capital city proud more.

She made the commendation on Thursday in Abuja when Minister received the champion of the maiden edition of National Principal Cup FOSLA academy in her office where she pledges to do everything within her power to ensure FOSLA academy be the best in the world.

Just a few months ago, FOSLA academy, owned by former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Sanni Lulu emerged champion of the resuscitated National Principal’s Cup after years of moribund.

Speaking, the minister who was represented by FCT Director of Sports Mr Luka Istifanus appreciated the efforts of the Proprietor of the school Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi to toward football development.

According to Istifanus, the minister of FCT was very much delighted when she received the request made by FOSLA football academy for her to receive them officially, having emerged the overall winner of the National Principal Cup of 2021 edition.

She encouraged the management of FOSLA academy to continue working hard and be more patriotic “I want to charged FOSLA academy to go to higher places, than just winning the Principal Cup because there are still other competitions that are higher than this.”

The Director assured that the FCT administration will collaborate with the FOSLA Academy to ensure that children who are naturally endowed in the Capital city are given the opportunity to combine their academic with their football careers.

Speaking earlier, the Proprietor of the Academy, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi enumerated the achievements of the Academy since 2011 it was established, and commended the administration of the FCT for giving it an enabling environment to operate. He said that the Academy with 70 percent of its students being indigent, but naturally endowed and are on scholarship to university level.

According to him, we have reach the stage for the past 10 years, we are doing the best and improving our service and what we are looking for is not to remain where we are, we are trying to be the best in the world.

“We are so clearly optimism is in our dream to get to the best position in the whole world and to get to that imaginable target we needed everybody’s supports, most importantly the government that is why we are to visit honorable minister of the state.

However, since its establishment in September 2011 as the first privately owned football academy in Nigeria, FOSLA Academy has established itself in the round leather game. It has won the FCT Principals Cup from 2015 to date, played up to the finals of the NNPC /Shell All Nigerian Secondary School Competition, Copa Coca-Cola U. 15 cup finals, Etisalat U. 15 cup finals among others. It has also contributed several players to the various Nigeria Youth teams, and recently became the first Football Club in country that played in the League with all University Undergraduates players

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Sports

NSC DG Olopade Applauds FCT’s Move to Develop Gwagwalada Mini Stadium

Published

13 hours ago

November 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the planned construction of a mini stadium in Gwagwalada, describing the initiative as a significant boost to sports development in the territory.

Hon. Olopade said the project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, particularly its commitment to the development of sports infrastructure across the country.

According to the DG, the proposed Gwagwalada Mini Stadium, when completed, will serve as an important sporting facility during the 2027 African School Games scheduled to hold in Abuja, while also providing young athletes in the FCT with access to quality sports infrastructure to nurture their talents.

“As I speak, over 30 contractors have been mobilized to various sites to ensure that sporting facilities and infrastructure are put in place for both our young and elite athletes across the country, Hon, Olopade said.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his unprecedented support for sports development, noting that the Federal Government had committed over ₦200 billion to the rehabilitation and development of sports infrastructure nationwide.

“We are more than grateful at the Sports Commission because Mr President has been very supportive of sports like never before. His commitment to spending over ₦200 billion on infrastructure revamp across the country will ensure that indigent children have access to quality facilities to harness their sporting potential,” he added.

The DG emphasized that sports infrastructure remains a critical factor in achieving excellence, noting that the availability and quality of facilities play a major role in athletes’ performance and their ability to secure podium finishes at international competitions.

He described the planned construction of the Gwagwalada Mini Stadium as a welcome development, commending Wike for his continued commitment to infrastructure development in the FCT.

“The construction of the Gwagwalada Mini Stadium by the FCT Minister is a massive welcome development for the Sports Commission. The Minister deserves all the accolades for the good work he has been doing in the FCT, particularly in the area of construction and infrastructure development,” Hon. Olopade said.

The NSC reiterated its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the development of sporting facilities that will support grassroots participation, talent discovery and the overall growth of sports in Nigeria.

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