Former Kwara State governor Bukola Saraki has called for increased investment in youth sports, pointing to footballer Yohanna's rise to England's Premier League as proof that Nigeria's young talent can compete at the highest level.
Saraki said Yohanna's journey from northern Nigeria to one of Europe's most competitive football leagues shows the potential that exists across the country if young people get proper support and resources. The former senate president did not specify which club Yohanna joined or when the move happened, but used the player's achievement to make a broader argument about talent development.
His comments reflect a growing concern among Nigerian leaders that the country's youth are leaving for opportunities abroad because domestic systems do not nurture their abilities properly. Saraki, who remains influential in Kwara politics, has long championed education and skills development as ways to keep young Nigerians engaged at home.
The call for investment comes as Nigerian football continues to produce players who find success in European leagues, though many argue that the country itself does not benefit enough from this talent pipeline. Youth sports programmes in Nigeria often struggle with poor funding, aging facilities, and lack of professional coaching, forcing families with means to send their children abroad for proper training.
Saraki did not outline what form this investment should take or which government bodies should lead the effort. His statement appears designed to keep attention on youth development as a policy priority rather than present a detailed plan.
