It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of a true titan of Nigerian football, High Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, who transitioned on March 9, 2026, at the age of 88. As progressives in the football community, we join the nation in mourning a pioneer whose life was synonymous with the growth of the beautiful game in Nigeria.
High Chief Adegboye Onigbinde was born on March 5, 1938, in Modakeke, Osun State. Originally trained as a teacher, he began his sports journey as a games master before transitioning into professional coaching. He famously dropped his baptismal name, "Festus," in 1960 to embrace his indigenous identity, "Adegboye," meaning "a child born to reclaim a chieftaincy title". A revered traditional leader, he held the title of Ekerin Balogun of Modakeke.
High Chief Onigbinde's contributions to Nigerian football are immeasurable. He was the first indigenous Nigerian coach to lead the Super Eagles to a FIFA World Cup in 2002 (Korea/Japan). He guided the national team to a silver medal at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d'Ivoire and led Shooting Stars SC (IICC) to the final of the African Club Champions Cup in 1984. He served on the technical committees of both CAF and FIFA, and was known for his "youth-first" philosophy, introducing legends like Vincent Enyeama to the national team.
We pray that the Almighty God grants his wife, children, and the entire Onigbinde family the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. May his soul find eternal rest, and may his legacy of discipline, integrity, and tactical brilliance continue to inspire future generations of Nigerian coaches and administrators.
Rest in peace, "The Teacher."
Signed,
NLO Progressive Club Chairmen
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