Grassroots football drives Nigeria’s talent boom, attracts foreign scouts

The steady rise of grassroots football in Nigeria is attracting increasing attention from foreign scouts, a development stakeholders say highlights both the country’s rich talent pool and the gradual strengthening of its football structures.

Across scouting tournaments and academy showcases, the presence of international recruiters has become more visible, marking a shift from the past when Nigerian teams often had to travel abroad to gain recognition. For many within the system, this growing interest reflects tangible progress at the foundation of the game.

Speaking during a scouting event in Lagoos, Technical Director of Olympique Academy Lagos, Jack Charles, described grassroots football as the bedrock of the sport’s development in the country, noting that improvements in coaching and academy structures are beginning to pay off.

“Grassroots football is the foundation of everything. That’s how everybody started in Nigeria. Now there are a lot of changes. More academies, better coaching education, and the game has really improved,” he said.

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He pointed to the growing influx of foreign scouts into local competitions as clear evidence of Nigeria’s rising appeal as a football market. “Before, teams had to travel out to be seen, but now scouts are coming into Nigeria. That shows improvement. If the grassroots structure wasn’t strong, they wouldn’t be coming here,” Charles added.

While acknowledging the opportunities this presents for young players, he emphasised the need to build a sustainable domestic system capable of nurturing and retaining talent. “Everybody wants to go to Europe because that’s where recognition comes, even South American players. But we must continue to develop our own football here. The fact that scouts are coming shows the system is becoming more viable and the business is growing,” he noted.

From a coaching standpoint, Adebayo Saubana of Olympique Lagos described grassroots tournaments as vital exposure platforms, offering young players the chance to showcase their abilities while drawing attention from both local and international observers.

“It is a good scouting programme and a good showcase for the boys. It gives them the opportunity to express themselves and for scouts to watch and make their choices,” he said.

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