The newly appointed national athletics head coach, Solomon Aliyu, has vowed to implement sweeping reforms aimed at rebuilding Nigeria’s technical coaching framework and restoring discipline across the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) programmes.
Aliyu, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police and current president of the Nigeria Athletics Coaches Association, was appointed by the AFN in what the federation described as an “uncommon” decision to usher in a new era of high-performance coaching and athlete development.
The appointment, which takes immediate effect, was confirmed on Tuesday by AFN Secretary General Israel Inwang. As head coach, Aliyu will be responsible for overseeing national coaching structures and spearheading technical reforms at both domestic and international levels.
Reacting to the appointment, Aliyu expressed his gratitude to the AFN for the confidence placed in him.
“I feel honoured to be considered worthy of this appointment by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria,” he said.
“It is a significant responsibility, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me.”
When asked about the AFN’s characterization of the appointment as “uncommon,” Aliyu noted that while only the federation could fully explain that label, he believed his years of service in national coaching assignments contributed to the decision.
“I’ve been active in the coaching space for quite some time,” he said.
“Over the years, I’ve had the honour of being invited on several occasions to prepare Nigerian athletes for international competitions, and I’ve always given my best.”
The AFN stated that Aliyu’s responsibilities will include coordinating all national athletics coaching programmes, crafting athlete development strategies, preparing coaches for international meets, and proposing high-performance frameworks that align with global best practices.
He is also expected to work closely with the federation’s technical director to establish a unified coaching structure across all levels of competition.
Although Aliyu declined to disclose specific elements of his immediate action plan, he revealed that internal consultations had already begun.
“As president of the Coaches Association, I am already familiar with the challenges we face,” he said.
“As a team, we will deliberate and find lasting solutions. The terms of reference in my appointment letter will guide our collective approach.”
Aliyu also highlighted the lack of structured leadership in the coaching department following the retirement of former national head coach Amelia Edet, describing it as a gap that affected technical progress and coordination.
“In the past, the absence of a defined leadership structure created a vacuum. But with this appointment, we’re re-establishing a formal coaching department within the AFN,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Aliyu identified coach education and continuous professional development as key pillars of his leadership.
“Coach education will become a consistent activity,” he stressed.
“Our goal is to empower Nigerian coaches through regular training, so they can develop world-class athletes and make Nigeria proud.”
The AFN has expressed confidence that Aliyu’s leadership will drive technical excellence, unify the coaching community, and elevate the country’s athletics profile at both grassroots and elite levels.
Aliyu will serve an initial two-year term, subject to renewal based on performance.