The Nigeria Football Federation has officially named Abdu Maikaba and Eboboritse Uwejamomere as the new head coaches of Nigeria’s U20 and U17 national teams.
The appointments signal a fresh direction for the Nigeria national under-20 football team and Nigeria national under-17 football team after difficult recent campaigns at youth level.
Nigeria’s U20 side reached the semi-finals of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations and secured qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup. However, the Flying Eagles suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16, extending their wait for another world title.
At U17 level, the Golden Eaglets failed to qualify for the 2026 U17 AFCON after losing to Ghana during the WAFU B qualifiers. Nigeria have now missed three straight editions of the continental tournament and have not appeared at the FIFA U17 World Cup since 2019.
Maikaba arrives with strong domestic experience and previous involvement with Nigeria’s youth teams. The 61-year-old earlier coached the Golden Eaglets and also served as assistant coach of the Flying Eagles under Paul Aigbogun between 2019 and 2020.
The veteran tactician recently managed Wikki Tourists F.C. before stepping down earlier this year. He also handled clubs including Kano Pillars F.C., Plateau United F.C. and Rangers International F.C..
One of the biggest moments of his coaching career came in 2017 when he guided Akwa United F.C. to Federation Cup success.
Maikaba replaces Aliyu Zubairu, who recently left the Flying Eagles role.
Uwejamomere now faces the task of rebuilding Nigeria’s U17 programme ahead of future continental qualifiers.
Before this appointment, he worked within the technical departments of both the Nigeria national football team and Nigeria women’s national football team, focusing on match analysis duties.
He also developed young players in England with academy roles at Millwall F.C., Gillingham F.C. and Nottingham Forest F.C..
Most recently, the coach served as Head of Academy at Sporting Lagos F.C., helping oversee the club’s return to the NPFL.
The NFF confirmed both appointments after approval from its Technical and Development Committee as preparations begin for the next youth football cycle.
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