In a move that underscores its commitment to youth empowerment, sports development and national unity, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken the country’s football diplomacy beyond the pitch.
Recently, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, led high-level strategic talks in Morocco on the sidelines of the just concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), to design a blueprint aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s football as a catalyst for job creation, unity and sustainable national development.
According to a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Mr. Abimbola Tooki, the APC helmsman was part of the Federal Governmen’s delegation to Morocco during the tournament, where he joined Nigerians at home and abroad in rallying support for the Super Eagles. The visit came at a historic moment, as the national team recorded a record extending ninth winner of the third place, rekindling national pride and unity.
Beyond supporting the team, Yilwatda used the opportunity to engage in high-level strategic engagements aimed at redefining the future of the country’s football as a catalyst for national development.
On the sidelines of AFCON in Rabat, a landmark strategy session was convened to explore how Nigeria can deliberately harness football to promote unity, create jobs for young people, and build sustainable sports infrastructure across the country.
The session, facilitated by the Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr Silas Ali Agara, brought together a powerful mix of political leadership, global football diplomacy and technical expertise.
It was driven by a shared objectiveo to adapt lessons from Morocco’s widely acclaimed sports development model into a practical Nigerian framework that delivers measurable outcomes.
At the heart of the discussions was the recognition that Morocco’s football success is the result of long-term planning, coherent policy choices and sustained investment.
Drawing from this experience, the team agreed on the need for a Nigerian adaptation that goes beyond match results to focus on the full sports economy.
This includes job creation through stadium construction and maintenance, facility management, coaching development, sports administration, technology, and other allied sectors capable of absorbing thousands of young Nigerians.
Yilwatda is expected to provide the political leadership and policy direction required to drive the ambitious vision, while Agara will spearhead the execution, ensuring that the strategy translates into real employment opportunities and skills development for the youths.
Former President of the Nigeria Football Association, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick will contribute global insight and access to international technical support, while policy and technology expert, Esebamen Clement will lead the design of a data-driven and implementable framework to guide the initiative.
A key outcome of the Rabat engagement was the emphasis on collaboration with state governments, particularly through the Progressive Governors Forum.
Under the proposed framework, governors are expected to serve as the primary drivers of sports infrastructure development and grassroots talent cultivation within their respective states, ensuring nationwide impact and sustainability.
The APC National Chairman said that football, when properly structured and supported, can serve as a powerful instrument for national unity, youth empowerment and economic growth.
He stressed that the party remains committed to innovative governance and the adoption of global best practices that place young Nigerians at the centre of development planning.
The Rabat engagement marked a decisive step away from rhetoric towards a clear package of actions, signalling a new approach to sports development, one that positions football not just as a game, but as a strategic platform for jobs, unity and national renewal.
