Chairman of Nath Boys FC and a leading voice in Nigerian football development, has applauded the progress academies have made in nurturing talent, but insisted that without a strong grassroots and junior structure, the system remains incomplete.
“I’m happy with the work academies are doing, that’s the progression,” Idowu said. “But I’d be happier if we had a proper youth and junior structure in place. Right now, it’s a bit disjointed.”
Pointing to successful initiatives launched since 2010, Idowu stressed that grassroots football must be prioritized, with local coaches and academies given more prominence in talent development.
Idowu cited Morocco as a model for long-term investment in grassroots football.
The country’s success at both youth and senior levels, including its historic run to the World Cup semifinals, is built on a nationwide structure that starts in villages and culminates in elite facilities like the King Mohammed VI Football Academy.
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“What Morocco has done is the result of a long journey. That center is just the tip of a grassroots pyramid. If you go to their villages, you’ll see the structure. That’s what we don’t have,” he said.
He argued that Nigeria doesn’t need expensive stadiums to build a strong foundation. Simple grass fields and functioning junior leagues are sufficient. What are lacking, he said, are basic resources—starting with quality footballs.
“Today, we can’t even get competition-grade footballs in Nigeria. Most of what’s sold is fake. Let the Sports Commission distribute quality footballs for free. It costs nothing.”
Idowu believed the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) should focus on elite football, while junior development should be managed by state and local governments. He called for decentralization of funding and infrastructure to ensure children can play regularly without traveling long distances.
Addressing the trend of top Nigerian players emerging from academies rather than league teams, Idowu attributed this to the academies’ openness to giving young players opportunities—unlike some league teams that are dominated by older players.