Nigeria CAF A coaching approval breakthrough as CAF admits Nigeria into Grade A coaching convention after nine-year wait by the NFF

Nigeria has been officially admitted into the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Grade A Coaching Convention following a long-awaited approval granted to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), marking a significant milestone in the country’s football development structure.

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The approval was communicated in a letter issued by CAF’s Coaching Education Project Manager, Jaida Zakaria, to the Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday, 7 May 2026.

This development follows several years of engagement, with CAF previously granting approvals for the D, C and B coaching courses before finally opening the pathway for the elite CAF A coaching programme.

The Nigeria Football Federation had reportedly waited for nine years to secure approval for the CAF A coaching course, making the latest decision a major breakthrough for coaching education in the country.

Reacting to the development, the NFF Head of Coaching Education, Dr Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, described the approval as a landmark achievement for Nigerian football coaching advancement.

“This is truly huge, after nine years! Admission into the CAF A coaching convention is a big deal,” Eguaoje said.

He noted that the approval places Nigeria in a stronger position to develop high level coaching standards and improve technical capacity across its football system.

The Nigeria Football Federation is now expected to begin logistical preparations for the rollout of the CAF A coaching programme nationwide.

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The development is widely seen as a positive step towards strengthening Nigeria’s long term football competitiveness on the continental and global stage.