Former NFF President Amaju Pinnick Speaks on Son's Potential Nigeria Football Career
Amaju Pinnick, the former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, has publicly addressed the question of whether his son would ever play for the Nigerian national team. During his appearance on the Play Zone Podcast, Pinnick provided insights into his family's approach to sports and education.
Pinnick's Son: A Talented Midfielder in London
The former FIFA Council member revealed that he has a 15-year-old son who currently plays as a midfielder for his school football team in London. "My son plays for his school in midfield in London, he is one of the key players in the team, he is 15, going to be 16 soon," Pinnick stated during the podcast interview.
When asked about the possibility of his son joining Nigeria's Golden Eaglets youth team, Pinnick emphasized the importance of education. "Let him concentrate on his studies," he responded firmly. "I keep telling him this, even though he is a very good football player."
Education Takes Priority Over Early Football Pressure
Pinnick explained his cautious approach to his son's football development, noting that he doesn't want his child to rely on his father's achievements in Nigerian football administration. "I am particularly concerned about my son's studies because I didn't want him to rest on my achievements," Pinnick elaborated.
The former NFF chief, who served from September 2014 to September 2022, highlighted the unpredictable nature of football careers. "Football has an element of luck, a major element of luck. I grew up in Warri, and I've seen a lot of stars who did not go beyond certain levels, many guys you'd think will play to the highest level but did not," he shared from his personal observations.
Pinnick's Legacy of Recruiting Foreign-Born Players
During his eight-year tenure as NFF President, Pinnick successfully convinced several foreign-born and foreign-trained stars to switch allegiance to Nigeria. Notable players who made this transition under his leadership include:
- Former captain William Troost-Ekong
- Alex Iwobi
- Ademola Lookman
Pinnick also addressed cases where players ultimately chose not to represent Nigeria, specifically mentioning Eberechi Eze's decision to play for England instead. He suggested that his departure from the NFF in 2022 influenced the Arsenal midfielder's choice.
A Family Deeply Involved in Sports
The Pinnick family demonstrates a strong commitment to athletic pursuits beyond just the father's administrative career. Pinnick's daughter, Yolanda Emififen Pinnick, has already achieved significant success in international competitions.
At just 10 years old, she won three gold medals and a bronze medal for Nigeria at the 2026 World School Games Olympia in Doha, Qatar, showcasing the family's athletic talent across generations.
National Pride and Future Possibilities
Despite his cautious approach to his son's immediate football future, Pinnick expressed deep national pride. "All my children were born in Nigeria, very proudly. I could have given birth to them outside the country, but it doesn't stop them from going anywhere in the world," he stated.
"I love this country, and I understand the potential, and being in CAF and FIFA further gave me that vibe that Nigeria is a country that is well respected globally, and I'm very happy and have no regrets."
Pinnick concluded with an open-ended perspective on his son's potential Nigeria career: "If he decides, if he is good enough." This statement leaves the door open for future possibilities while maintaining the current focus on education and balanced development.
