Stakeholders across Nigeria’s sports sector have lauded the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, who has received unparalleled applause from stakeholders across Nigeria, on the backdrop of his recent recognition and meeting with the Visionary Chief Executive Officer of Water FC, Makanjuola Nureni Muala.
The high-profile visit underscores the increasing recognition of grassroots football and the vital role private clubs like Water FC play in developing Nigeria’s future sports stars.
Habu Gumel, a respected sports administrator from Gumel, Jigawa State, with extensive national and international experience, met with Water FC President Makanjuola to discuss the club’s growing impact on Nigerian football. The engagement is widely viewed as a strong endorsement of Makanjuola’s commitment to youth development and talent discovery—objectives that align with the Nigerian Olympic Committee’s broader vision for nurturing athletes capable of competing at the highest levels.
Under Makanjuola’s stewardship, Water FC has become known for producing top-tier football talent through a well-structured development system. The meeting with Gumel is seen not just as symbolic, but as a strategic step toward potential collaboration between the NOC and private football academies—aimed at strengthening sports development from the grassroots.
This recognition comes at a critical time as Nigerian sports work to regain momentum following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Gumel, who once noted that the Olympic delay could offer athletes more preparation time, remains a central figure in efforts to unify stakeholders and drive progress in the nation’s sporting landscape.