Muhammadu Buhari: How Nigeria won several Trophies under his watch

As Nigerians mourn the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, many are taking stock of his complex legacy, from the fight against corruption to his tough stance on security.

But one area that is often underreported is how Nigeria’s sports sector, particularly football, thrived with silverware during his presidency.

Between 2015 and 2023, when Buhari served as Nigeria’s civilian President, the country recorded impressive achievements in sports, with a series of continental and international trophies won across different categories.

Whether through direct presidential support, improved funding (though sometimes inconsistent), or a strategic drive to restore the nation’s sporting glory, the Buhari era delivered multiple national moments of joy and pride.

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Here’s a look at how Nigeria clinched several trophies under Buhari’s leadership.

1. Nigeria Wins U-17 FIFA World Cup (2015)

Buhari’s presidency kicked off on a high sports note when the Golden Eaglets, Nigeria’s U-17 national team, won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in November 2015.

This victory marked Nigeria’s fifth U-17 world title, making the country the most successful in the tournament’s history. Buhari praised the players and coaching crew, describing the win as a sign of youth resilience and national promise.

2. D’Tigress: Back-to-Back FIBA Afrobasket Championships

The Nigerian women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, emerged as dominant queens of African basketball, clinching the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship titles in:

• 2017 (Mali)
• 2019 (Senegal)
• 2021 (Cameroon)

These three back-to-back titles made D’Tigress the most successful women’s basketball team in Africa during the period. Buhari personally received the team at Aso Rock and approved financial rewards for their stellar performance.

3. Nigeria Wins U-20 Women’s World Cup Silver (2022)

The Falconets, Nigeria’s U-20 women’s football team, finished as runners-up in the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, a historic feat and a clear sign of the growth of women’s football in Nigeria under Buhari’s administration.

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The team’s gritty run to the final earned them plaudits, with President Buhari issuing a state commendation and urging more investment in women’s football.

4. Amputee Eagles Win Amputee World Cup Plate Trophy (2018)

In a heartwarming sports story, Nigeria’s Special Eagles (amputee football team) won the Amputee Football World Cup Plate Trophy in Mexico in 2018.

This was the country’s first international recognition in amputee football, achieved under Buhari’s tenure.

Despite challenges in sponsorship and preparation, the team’s determination captured the spirit of Nigeria and earned them presidential praise and calls for greater inclusion in sports policy.

5. Tobi Amusan Breaks World Record (2022)

In 2022, Nigerian track queen Tobi Amusan made history by breaking the women’s 100m hurdles world record at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA.

Though an individual achievement, Amusan’s record-breaking run reflected the revival of Nigerian athletics.

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Buhari described her feat as “historic, inspirational, and worthy of emulation,” and conferred on her the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) honour.

6. Wrestling Golds: Blessing Oborududu and Odunayo Adekuoroye Shine

The Buhari era also saw the rise of female wrestling champions like Blessing Oborududu (silver medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics) and Odunayo Adekuoroye, who claimed gold at various African Wrestling Championships.

Their dominance raised Nigeria’s global profile in wrestling, and the president publicly congratulated them, even as he encouraged sports ministries to increase support for athletes.

7. Super Falcons Dominate Africa

Under Buhari’s government, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remained the most decorated women’s national team in Africa, winning the 2016 and 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON).

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These victories reaffirmed Nigeria’s footballing dominance on the continent. Buhari regularly received the team after major wins and praised their resilience in representing the country on the global stage.

8. Para-Powerlifting Glory

Team Nigeria delivered outstanding results in para-powerlifting, particularly during the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio and 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, where Nigerian athletes clinched multiple gold medals.

These victories were moments of pride, especially given that the para-athletes often trained in challenging conditions. Buhari’s government recognized the importance of these triumphs and committed to more inclusive sports development.

Buhari’s Influence in Sports: Mixed But Notable

Although Buhari’s sports policy was not perfect, with periods of inadequate funding, delayed bonuses, and internal wrangling in federations like the NFF, it cannot be denied that Nigeria’s trophy cabinet grew under his presidency.