President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences to the family, colleagues, and fans of the late football administrator and former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88.
Gatekeepers News reports that Tinubu’s message, issued on Tuesday through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, praised Onigbinde’s immense contributions to Nigerian football, particularly grassroots development and the professionalization of football administration.
The President highlighted the historic achievements of the Modakeke high chief, who became the first indigenous coach of the Super Eagles in 1982 and led the team to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984. Tinubu described Onigbinde as a disciplined and visionary football tactician whose passion for the game left an enduring legacy.
He prayed for the repose of Onigbinde’s soul and comfort for his family, while extending condolences to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the National Sports Commission (NSC), professional peers, and football fans across the country.
The Onigbinde family confirmed his passing in a statement signed by Bolade Adesuyi, reading in part:
“With great gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of this great man, a Modakeke High Chief, the first indigenous Nigerian Super Eagles football coach, father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde.
We thank God for the fulfilled life and your contributions to the Nigerian nation and the world as an unequalled football coach.”
The family added that funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
Onigbinde’s illustrious coaching career included leading Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and Korea, returning to the helm in 2002 after initially coaching the Green Eagles between 1982 and 1984, succeeding the late Shuaibu Amodu.
In addition to his on-field achievements, Onigbinde contributed significantly as a technical instructor for both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, further cementing his role in the growth and professionalization of football across Africa.
