Former Super Eagles midfielder Friday Ekpo has called on Nigerian football authorities to place greater emphasis on developing homegrown players, warning against an overreliance on foreign-born talents. Ekpo believes Nigeria’s long-term success depends on strong grassroots structures rather than short-term fixes.
According to the former international, Nigeria is blessed with raw talent across the country, but the lack of proper systems has prevented many players from reaching their full potential. He argued that consistent investment in schools football, academies and age-grade competitions would create a sustainable pipeline of players for the national teams.
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“Nigeria has talent everywhere, but talent alone is not enough,” Ekpo said. “If we don’t build proper structures from the grassroots, we will keep chasing solutions instead of creating them.”
Ekpo stressed that structured youth development would not only strengthen the Super Eagles but also benefit other national teams across different age categories. He noted that countries with stable football systems focus heavily on nurturing players at home before exporting them to top leagues abroad.
“When you develop players locally, you understand their mentality, culture and strengths better,” he explained. “That builds stronger teams in the long run, instead of depending on players developed elsewhere.”
The former midfielder also warned that neglecting grassroots football could have lasting consequences, as young players may lose motivation or switch careers entirely. He urged football administrators to see youth development as a national priority rather than an afterthought.
Ekpo concluded by calling for patience and consistency, insisting that results may not be immediate but will pay off over time. He believes Nigeria has everything needed to dominate African football again, provided the focus shifts toward nurturing and trusting homegrown talent.
