Atiku Abubakar says Arsenal’s resilience can inspire renewed Nigeria
Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from Arsenal’s resilience as the newly inaugurated Arsenal Fans Club Nigeria launches an ambitious expansion plan targeting five million registered members.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on Nigerians to draw inspiration from Arsenal Football Club’s resilience and fighting spirit, expressing optimism that the country can overcome its difficulties and embark on a path towards national renewal.
Atiku made the remarks during the inauguration of Arsenal Fans Club Nigeria in Abuja, where he was represented by former senator Dino Melaye.
The gathering brought together supporters and prominent personalities united by their allegiance to the Premier League club.
The former vice-president described Arsenal’s determination as a source of encouragement for Nigerians facing economic and social challenges, suggesting that the same perseverance displayed in football could inspire hope beyond the pitch.
“By the grace of God, very soon, Nigerians will leave the wilderness and enter the Promised Land,” he said.
His statement drew on the biblical imagery of moving from hardship towards a better future, reflecting his belief that Nigeria’s present difficulties should not extinguish expectations of a brighter tomorrow.
Atiku congratulated the club’s National President, Charles Ojugbana, and other organisers for bringing the association to fruition, describing the inauguration as a historic milestone.
He also pledged his support and expressed hope that Arsenal’s fighting spirit would contribute to restoring Nigeria’s days of glory.
Five million members in two years
Beyond the inauguration, the association has outlined an ambitious strategy to establish a nationwide network of supporters, with a long-term objective of turning football allegiance into a platform for community engagement.
Ojugbana said the organisation had adopted a three-stage expansion plan, beginning with the establishment of state chapters before extending its reach into universities and cities.
Four state chapters, Gombe, Imo, Lagos and Akwa Ibom, were inaugurated during the club’s annual general meeting as part of the first phase.
The next target is to establish chapters in all 36 states by the end of 2027, creating a broader structure for coordinating activities and attracting new members.
Ojugbana said the association intended to make its presence felt in higher institutions and urban communities across the country.
“Every university in Nigeria will have an Arsenal Fans Club, and then we will move to the cities. In the next two years, we intend to have five million registered Nigerians in this club,” he said.
Achieving that target would require sustained recruitment, effective organisation and activities capable of keeping members engaged beyond Arsenal’s matchdays.
The leadership is therefore seeking to build an identity that combines football support with shared values and community participation.
Nigerian connections strengthen Arsenal’s appeal
The club’s leadership believes Arsenal’s links with players of Nigerian descent offer an important opportunity to deepen its popularity locally.
Ojugbana cited Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri among the players whose Nigerian connections could strengthen the relationship between the club and its supporters in Nigeria.
Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu, who previously played for Arsenal during the Invincibles era, also serves as a patron and brand ambassador of the association.
For the organisers, these connections provide more than a reason to follow a foreign football club. They offer a platform to celebrate Nigerian heritage, encourage young football enthusiasts and support players with Nigerian roots competing abroad.
The association also intends to promote discipline, excellence and sportsmanship among its members, regardless of the outcome of matches.
Dalhatu Musa, the Accord Party’s senatorial candidate for the Federal Capital Territory, said football had the potential to bring people together across social and racial boundaries.
He urged supporters to maintain respect for rival teams, emphasising that loyalty should not become hostility towards others.
“You win some and lose some, but you must have the spirit of sportsmanship. Win or lose, we are always good,” he said.
Calls for greater investment in grassroots sports
Musa also used the occasion to highlight the need for increased investment in Nigerian sports, particularly at the grassroots level, where young talents require opportunities to develop.
He called on government institutions, corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to support football development and revive competitions that once provided platforms for emerging players.
He specifically lamented the decline of grassroots sporting initiatives, including the Minister’s Cup in the FCT, which he said had previously helped young talents gain exposure.
“Government needs to invest heavily in sports and, after investing, sit back and reap the benefit of what it has sown,” he said.
His remarks underscored the argument that football’s influence should extend beyond entertainment to youth development, community building and economic opportunities.
Prominent figures join the initiative
The inauguration also featured the induction of prominent personalities as patrons, with Atiku named Grand Patron.
Other figures associated with the club include Kano Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, businessman Aliko Dangote, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Melaye and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.
Board of Trustees Chairman Adamu Emozozo urged members to remain united and committed to building an organisation that future generations could be proud to inherit.
The inauguration celebrated more than support for Arsenal, highlighting the potential of football to encourage hope, perseverance and social connections.
Whether the association can reach five million members remains to be seen, but its leadership has set out a clear ambition to transform shared football allegiance into a nationwide community built around participation, charitable initiatives and lasting relationships.
