Photo Credit: Punch Newspapers / Fatma Samoura
Nigeria Can Become Africa’s Sporting Hub – Ex-FIFA Scribe Fatma Samoura
Former FIFA Secretary-General, Fatma Samoura, says Nigeria has what it takes to become Africa’s leading hub for sports and entertainment, if it invests in sustainable infrastructure and business models that keep value on the continent.

Samoura, who made history as the first woman and first African to head FIFA’s secretariat, spoke in an exclusive interview where she reflected on her time at world football’s governing body and her new role on the Advisory Board of the African Collaborations Group (ACG).

Looking back at her tenure from 2016, Samoura said her background at the United Nations taught her that institutions don’t change by strategy alone but by leadership, trust and consistency. She noted that joining FIFA at a time of crisis, her focus was to restore confidence through governance, transparency and professionalism, and ensure FIFA’s resources impacted all six confederations.

She said representation only matters when backed by results. “Being the first African and first woman was historic, but the real responsibility was to deliver,” she said.

On why she joined ACG, Samoura explained that she has long been concerned about how Africa loses the economic value of its sporting talent. While the continent has talent and passionate fans, she said, it lacks quality infrastructure and viable commercial models to sustain it.

According to her, Africa must move away from standalone stadiums to integrated sport and entertainment districts that operate all year round – combining venues, academies, hotels, retail, and community spaces to create jobs beyond matchdays.

On why African athletes leave, Samoura said Africa has never lacked talent, but has lacked the ecosystem – training facilities, sports science, medical support, and clear pathways from grassroots to professional careers. As a result, talent migrates and the jobs, sponsorship, broadcasting and investment are created elsewhere.

She argued that such integrated districts can drive urban regeneration and give young people access to facilities close to home, while sparing governments the burden of maintaining empty stadiums.

On Nigeria specifically, Samoura said the country’s scale, youthful population, passionate audiences and powerful creative industry make it unique. With talent across football, athletics, basketball, combat sports, music, film and fashion, Nigeria could host major competitions and entertainment productions, if it thinks strategically about venues, transport and hospitality.

“What would success look like? Seeing African athletes able to train, compete and build careers on the continent if they choose to, seeing African cities regularly host major competitions sustainably, and seeing more of the money generated by African sport circulate within African economies,” she said.

She also urged young African women in sports leadership to prepare relentlessly and lift others as they rise. “Don’t spend too much time asking whether you belong in a particular room. Prepare so well that when the door opens, you are ready,” she said.
Source: Punch Newspapers –