Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president and All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in Kogi State is a patriot and fighter. And two happenings in his life have proved him to be a nationalist and a social crusader rolled into one. First, after serving at the apex of Nigeria football administration between 2006 and 2010, he has quietly established and run one of the most efficient soccer academies in the country.
In his words: “When I became NFF president in 2006, one of my cardinal objectives was to ensure that I develop the grassroots program. Unfortunately, I tried my best and kicked off the programme around 2007-2008 with the U-13 which was launched in Cross River state.
“ It was through the project we got people the likes Kelechi Iheanacho and all those boys because we put them together in a place and ensure that they blend to form a formidable national U-15 team.
” But somehow Nigerians did not key into my vision. I wasn’t truly satisfied with the level of achievement and participation of states. To make it work we introduced N500, 000 grant to the states for the very first time in the history of Nigeria football.
“ The money was taken from the FIFA fund and send to all the states to ensure that this grassroots project works. But man proposes but God disposes. It didn’t work the way I like and I think God knew my pains and it was one of the things I put into action on leaving NFF.
“I put my time and resources into the project and established FOSLA Academy. By 2010 when I left the NFF I had started the primary school and by 2011 I added the secondary school. I thank God because the academy is almost eight years old. Our target are orphans and children from the less privilege homes and the essence was to actually identify talented children who love the game of football and needed to be supported to go for educational programme.
“ FOSLA was to lay emphasis on developing their talent and also improving their educational standard. In the course of doing this I had the opportunity to attracting the paying student, people who are well to do in the society. They loved the project and decide to patronize it.
“So we have the rich and the poor in my school. It is a very difficult task but we are working so hard to blend them together to be a united family. It has also been helping to reduce the gap between the poor and the rich but I give God the glory that they are excelling both in academic and football programmes. In Federal Capital Territory (FCT) they are constantly the champions in all categories of age-group football tournaments.
“We have three sets now in the University, about 50 of them and they are on full scholarships. We want to fully prepare them for the challenges of life. And with God on our side, I believe government, stakeholders and those in high positions can key into this Nigerian project.
“I am not in a hurry to send them abroad and I’ve been appealing to them to be patient because once they are able to finish their University programmes, they can excel and play in any category of football in the world. In abroad, you see U-16 boys playing for Premier League clubs. If my boys are good they can play for the national teams at any levels. If you love Nigeria and you think about it you must encourage anybody who is willing to support the development of this country, so it is a collective effort.
“Their value will also rise when they finish from University and when they can win major tournaments, their values will be higher. That is our dream. And it is for all to benefit from; the children, their families, the school, and Nigeria.”
Secondly, after he was controversially removal from the NFF board in 2010, Lulu fought relentlessly to clear himself of any wrong doing as president.
For eight years he was in and out of court up to November 2018, when the Appeal Court in Abuja cleared him of any complicity or wrongdoing in the N2.2billion corruption charges leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The impeachment which they did was an ordained impeachment. Nigerian shown that they love me and returned me unopposed but the evil doers say I should go. And God said; ‘you have to go because you have reached your peak at football administration.’ Move to the next level.
“ Having been cleared of any illegality and any wrongdoing at NFF by court, the people now came to me and asked me to be their gubernatorial aspirant in Kogi state. I came into that contest because God wanted me there. I am a successful man in my first time in politics.
He said he has also forgiven his detractors.
“As a man who is Godly and believes you have to forgive when God says this is the way to go, then you have to leave it to Him. That is the best way to receive favour. I have been tutored to be patient and God has rewarded me and vindicated me. “All that happened during the eight years was to show the people that Sani Lulu is in this condition but God has the final say and He has lifted me above all my detractors. I keep saying this; God must have punished those who plotted to bring me down and has lifted me up. I am smiling now and I have gone ahead to contest for election in my state. That is a sign that God is at work. And I believe that God has not finished his work. God has a better future for me.”
A down to earth man, Lulu (meaning a special pearl), said politics is a bigger platform to continue his social work and crusade and he went down memory lane to talk about his antecedents from soccer politics to Kogi politics; and what the future holds for him.
Passion for football
I am a citizen of this country and specifically born in Zaria- Kaduna state. I grew up in the society fully exposed to local football based on the passion I had for it and it was difficult for my parents to manage me. At that time my parents wanted me to dedicate my all to education.
I was always going to play and watch football and In Zaria then, there was Zaria Rangers, a very powerful and prominent team who were always champions. The team had prominent players like Ismailia Lulu, John Bull and others. As I grew up people recognized me because I was always in the stadium; and one of those in primary school and everywhere I go they began to call me ‘Lulu Junior’, because they say I play like Lulu.
I grew up playing football at whatever level I was placed, I was already playing for the senior team at primary school level. I went to Secondary school in Warri Federal Government College, and by the time I was in Form 2 I was playing for the school team.
So, that name followed me as my nickname up to my University level. But the significant part of me is my given name Sani Abdullahi until something happened in Form 4 when I was preparing to go to Form 5. My ambition was to go to School of Basic Studies in Zaria. I told my parents and was sure that my results would take me to the school. I went through the results when I was in Form 4 and I saw so many, about three, four Sani Abdullahis on the result sheet. My principal was a white man Phil Davies and I had to meet him to tell him I was scared because in my school there was Sani Ibrahim and me Sani Abdullahi and in the result many Sani Abdullahis. I told him that I would like to introduce my nickname Lulu. I never knew the significance of Lulu until I had effected that change Sani Lulu Abdullahi and when I actually became a man after University the name Lulu was part of my certificate. It was when I finished university that I realized that Lulu in Islam means ‘a special pearl’ I wanted it to be a nickname but God wanted it to be in my name. It followed me up to this moment that I did everything that I did. It has made me to be a great footballer. It has made me to help that greatness to develop the society.
God has used me to bring my own little best to transform my society. And it is that same thing that I am also saying that I can use the power of the game God has given me to also extend my services to other arena and basically if you are playing football, you will play politics. I asked myself how can I fix this services at a higher level and that is why obviously, having gone through all the challenges, people say we were impeached, but for me I look at it from a positive end.
Scorecard of current board of NFF
Well, for someone who has come from this environment, it would be unfair for me to start criticizing the same system. As a politician the opportunity that I have had to feel the people, it gives me great worry and basically I want to recall when I was there several times we had no money but I always say Nigeria must be protected. Government has created a platform to give us grant. It may be grossly inadequate but we must sit down to prepare our plans on what to do. So, you must protect government by not rubbishing them. However there were challenges going-between government has created problems for us but we try to manage it may be due to my background as a public servant.
That was the advantage I had. When I was coming to NFF people said Sani Lulu is going to operate like a public servant. He would not be loyal to the system but I came in and gave my best to the government and gave my best to the people and this gave the result. For a better NFF you have to be transparent to carry everybody along. You have to know where your resources are coming from and prioritize. I want to believe this current NFF board is blessed because they have got so many sponsors and so I heard so many sponsors are going out of it too.
They should sit down and operate with what is available and they will get the result. Remember there was no money during my time but I qualified for nine FIFA tournaments and I challenged FIFA that I was the only one who did that in the whole world. It is not easy but God just kept on blessing me. When you render your services to the country you will not need to expose the country’s shortcomings and you will get result even from the players. I remember when we were going to the 2010 World Cup qualifier in Uganda. The boys were to branch in Tanzania to play a friendly match. I’ve told them that because there was no money I would not pay money for any friendly match. But when they got to Tanzania, they said they made 9m Shillings which is about 6000 Dollars. So, I told them to share the money among themselves. Kanu (Nwankwo) was the captain and he told me that it is not for him but for the boys. Before you know it they were holding me to ransom. At that point they were on their way to Uganda for the qualifier and they threaten not to go for the Uganda match.
Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi led them and I called him to find out how many of them want to go. He said 13 of them that seven said they won’t go, especially the ‘big boys’. I called Bolaji Ojo-Oba, who was in Nigeria and told him to quickly assemble seven home-based players to meet us in Uganda.
They were to get their visa at entry point and that they would meet me in Uganda. Before, you knew it, the coach told me that the ‘big boys’ are apologizing and would come to Uganda. They pleaded and at a point Ogunjobi started pleading for them. When they begged for some time I gave them condition to come back to the team. And we played the match. So, you must be firm and forward looking.
Kogi Politics
It’s not my making. Why did I even become NFF President? I don’t beat my beat my chest to boast that I am this because God has been parting ways for me. When I was serving the Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T) and due to my tireless service to F.C.T they said ‘Lulu you must go to the NFF board’ I said that I’m not willing to participate in it so they manage me and God used them to make the impression that I’m supposed to be here and I started to think of joining the board in 1996.
God made me the President of NFF. In-fact, I think I pleaded with God not to be the president because I wasn’t ready to carry Nigerian’s burden and I feel everything is destined by God and I went into politics because God thought I should not be in football for life and that’s why in 2010 I decided to run for a post to continue and God said no. So, my going into politics was not intentional but that the people wanted me to come fully into politics and they actually came out to demand and pressure me.
We worked in NFF where there was no money and we were successful and also left lots of money. We left our mark where there I no money. Coming to politics where there is money I know I would do better and even earn more than when I was in NFF. If I can use the little money given to me to invest and develop the NFF, I can do even better in Kogi State. I had no fear knowing it all required determination and seriousness.
APC Governorship Primaries in Kogi
Well, Nigerians know what took place and everybody knows what I did there and that should be remembered in history. Politicians told me I needed money to contest but I told them I needed nothing to contest, I am grateful I participated wholeheartedly because the little I spent is nothing compared to what the politicians are spending. Every time they told me you have to carry money around but I said no that the people we rule are the people protecting us so throughout my time in the public sector I never for once spent public money corruptly. I only share the little I have so as not to build a corrupt system. I have seen the good side and bad side of politics so it’s a great thing and God is telling me to still exercise patience. I know he still has a lot in plan for me.
Contesting again
I told you before that I will never beat my chest to say I want to contest for anything, I have seen from all indication that the people love me and I have seen from all indication that God has showers me with mercies and blessings. That is why I came out of all this a happy man. What happens tomorrow is only in the hands of God Almighty so I’m waiting for how God will guide me and the people to serve me better in all that I want to do in life.
I am still in politics but I am not too happy because what I use to say before I cannot say it now because of the bitter lesson I have learnt. I want to talk about it but God is saying hold your peace. Politically, there is something I want to vomit but God is telling me don’t vomit it yet. So, I’m leaving it because I love my God. And if I love my God then I love the people. So, I’m holding my peace for now.
Electoral Act
There is nothing in Nigeria that shouldn’t change, even the Electoral Act. But the most important thing is our attitude and character. We need to give our best because even if everything is good our attitude and behavior can destroy that good thing. So, let’s first of all change our thinking. If you want to be up to date in the society you must keep changing your system. Nothing is static for a willing and developing Nation but first of all the primary way to address is with good attitude and character.
Patriot & Philanthropist
I love my country and want to give it more than what it needs because I grew from this system and would love to go back and give back to the system. I don’t know how you described your philanthropist but all I know is I love to give my people from what God has given me and I derived joy in spending from what I have and also when I spend it on people.
Life philosophy
I want to give my best to God at all times and anybody who loves God will always love his follow men, so I don’t want to hurt the people unless they do otherwise, if you love to serve God you will never want to hurt anybody.
Unwinding
When I am unwinding I love companionship. I love people to be around me. My father told me before he died that when I was a child I don’t like to be alone. When I was between one and three years, he wrote behind my birth certificate that ‘Sani Lulu does not want to be left alone on the bed because he cries.’ It was when I grew up that I realized that the reason why I love to see people around me. If I am alone I won’t be happy. When I say I need people around then I mean people who are like me or think in a way like me. I love seeing everybody.
Favorite club
In Nigeria my favorite club is FOSLA Academy and I like Manchester United because of Sir Alex Ferguson. He has the right attitude and he achieved so much for that club and somehow he is still in the club that’s why I love it even though they are not doing well in Premier League this season.
I used to like Enyimba FC and like I always say, Nigerian club must privatize. Enyimba is a great team and I am a fan. But it has to improve itself because these are teams that are dependent on the government and you can’t grow because government comes, government go and it depends on the incoming government if he likes football.
But when a team is privatized; decisions are taken by the board. That is why teams like Chelsea are high up there because there is continuity.
The government of Nigeria should begin to tell them to stop depending on them and privatize themselves to be independent, I was already doing that in the NFF and that was how I got people to support NFF but that doesn’t mean I didn’t work with the government. I was given the freedom to operate and I repaid the government with success.
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