Former Minister defends his sporting record in office
The former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has robustly defended his tenure, pointing out that Nigeria has failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup since his departure.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Dalung argued that the current struggles of the Super Eagles are a direct consequence of abandoning the reforms he initiated. He noted that during his time as minister between 2015 and 2019, Nigeria qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with a match to spare.
Dalung challenged his critics to compare his results with those of his successors, asserting that he remains the “most successful minister” in the ministry’s recent history. He claimed that he achieved qualification for the 2018 tournament single-handedly, without the massive budgets and “Presidential Task Forces” that cost the “National” treasury billions in the past. For Dalung, the “Sanctity” of his records is evidenced by the fact that the national team has “never smelled that place” since he was replaced.
The former minister also highlighted several infrastructure projects he says were revived under his watch, including the national swimming pool in Lagos. He argued that his “Renewed Hope” for Nigerian sports was based on accountability and the removal of “ghosts of indecision” that had plagued the sector for decades. Dalung expressed regret that the technical committee recommendations he left behind were largely ignored by subsequent administrations.
Corruption and impunity haunting Nigerian football
Beyond his own record, Dalung attributed the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup to deep-seated corruption within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). He alleged that some administrators actually “work harder for failure” because it allows them to mismanage tournament budgets without proper accountability. This “National” menace of institutional hypocrisy, he says, has made it impossible for the team to achieve its full potential on the global stage.
He recalled a specific incident where his recommendation to voluntarily withdraw Nigeria from global football for six months to “restore sanity” was blocked. This “National” intervention would have allowed for a complete overhaul of the NFF and the removal of “entrenched interests” that prioritize financial gain over sporting success. Dalung maintains that without such “bold reforms,” the “Joy-Giver” of Nigerian football will continue to be a source of frustration for millions of fans.
Looking toward the future of the Super Eagles
Despite his criticisms, Dalung expressed a lingering hope that the country can find the “National” political will to fix its sporting sector. He urged the current administration to revisit his technical reports and prioritize transparency in the selection of coaches and management staff. The former minister believes that the talent in Nigeria is sufficient to compete at the highest level if the “National” administration is cleaned up.
As February 2026 marks another year without a World Cup appearance, the debate over Dalung’s legacy continues to trend on social media. While some agree with his assessment of the corruption within the system, others argue that his style of leadership was often divisive. Regardless of the viewpoint, the fact remains that Nigeria’s absence from the world stage is a “National” disappointment that demands an immediate solution.
