Omoyele Sowore, African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate has made a bold sports-related campaign promise, saying Nigeria would qualify for every FIFA World Cup throughout his proposed eight-year tenure if elected president in 2027.
Sowore made the declaration on Saturday while participating in the 2026 Enugu City International Marathon, where he competed in the 10-kilometre race. He argued that Nigeria possesses enough sporting talent to become a major global sports hub but has been held back by poor administration and inadequate support for athletes.
Sowore Targets Nigeria’s World Cup Struggles
Sowore described Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup as unacceptable, insisting that a government committed to competence and proper sporting administration could ensure consistent qualification.
“If I’m president of Nigeria, we are not missing any World Cup for my eight years. I’ll make sure that happens,” Sowore said.
He said his proposed administration would recruit competent sports administrators, develop sporting infrastructure and create an environment where Nigerian athletes could compete successfully internationally.
Sports As An Economic Opportunity
Beyond football, Sowore said Nigeria should exploit the wider sports economy to create jobs, develop young people and generate revenue beyond the country’s dependence on oil.
He pointed to countries such as Brazil and Kenya as examples of nations that have built significant economic and international opportunities around sports. He also questioned why Nigeria, with its large population and abundant athletic talent, has struggled to dominate disciplines such as long-distance running and swimming.
“Nigeria Will Become A Major Sports Hub”
Sowore said his ambition extends beyond ensuring that the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup. He wants Nigeria to become a destination for different sporting activities and to produce athletes capable of winning medals across several disciplines.
He also described sports as a tool for youth development, saying successful athletes could become global ambassadors for Nigeria while sporting events could strengthen communities and promote healthy living.
The promise comes as the 2027 presidential race begins to take shape, with candidates increasingly outlining specific policies and promises aimed at winning voters.
For Sowore, football qualification has become one of the more memorable pledges of his campaign: an eight-year presidency in which Nigeria, he says, will not miss a single FIFA World Cup. Whether that ambitious promise can be delivered would ultimately depend on football administration, player development, infrastructure and—crucially—the performance of the national team on the field. OGM News NG will monitor any development on the news report.
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