LAGOS, NIGERIA — Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, is expected to lead prominent dignitaries to the grand finale of the 2026 Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer Tournament scheduled for Saturday, November 14, in Surulere, Lagos.
Abdullahi, popularly known as Dattijo, confirmed his attendance during a conversation on Tuesday with the tournament’s initiator and Chief Executive Officer of Spires Media, Dr Bankole Allibay. He expressed enthusiasm about participating in the third edition of the competition, describing it as an initiative that creates opportunities for young Nigerians to develop their sporting abilities while acquiring relevant technology skills.
He said the tournament provides an important platform for emerging footballers to demonstrate their talents, improve their abilities and pursue opportunities in the sport. He also commended Allibay for investing in youth development and encouraged individuals committed to empowering young people to sustain their efforts.
The final will take place at the Union Bank Sports Ground, off Bode Thomas Street, Surulere. Sixteen teams drawn from the five divisions of Lagos State began the competition on October 27, with the tournament progressing through group matches and knockout rounds before producing the two finalists.
The championship match will feature defending champions White Tigers FC against Wasola FC. White Tigers, a Lagos Island-based side coached by Emmanuel Olom, are seeking to secure a third consecutive title after winning the previous two editions.
The defending champions booked their place in the final after defeating ASDI Academy 2-1 on penalties in Thursday’s semi-final. Their captain, Abubakar Degio, described the encounter as a difficult contest but expressed confidence that his team could retain the trophy.
Wasola FC secured the other final berth with a convincing 6-3 victory over All Saints FC, setting up a decisive contest between two teams that have demonstrated strong performances throughout the competition.
Beyond the football action, the organisers have announced more than ₦10 million in prize money, alongside team and individual awards. The champions are expected to receive ₦5 million, while the first and second runners-up will collect ₦3 million and ₦1 million respectively.
The event will also showcase the tournament’s broader commitment to education and digital skills development. Spires Media, in partnership with telecommunications infrastructure company IHS, will distribute 52 free laptop computers to selected participants of the Spires Sports Meet-Tech programme.
More than 200 participants recently completed training under the programme, which exposed them to practical digital skills, including Microsoft applications, coding, artificial intelligence and machine learning. The laptop presentation is intended to support beneficiaries as they continue developing their technology skills and exploring opportunities in the digital economy.
The technology component reflects the organisers’ stated ambition to make the tournament more than a football competition by combining grassroots sports development with practical opportunities for young people outside the pitch.
The tournament’s third edition began with 16 teams divided into four groups. The participating sides represented different divisions across Lagos, providing a competitive platform for grassroots clubs to test their abilities against teams from other parts of the state.
The competition has also received support from the Lagos State Football Association, whose chairman, Gafar Liameed, previously praised the initiative and encouraged continued investment in grassroots football.
For Abdullahi, the event offers an opportunity to recognise the contribution of private initiatives to youth development. His planned attendance also brings additional public attention to a competition that combines football, technology training and financial incentives for emerging talents.
As the finalists prepare for the decisive encounter, attention will centre on whether White Tigers can extend their dominance with another championship or Wasola can interrupt the defending champions’ run and claim the title for the first time.
The organisers are expected to bring the three-week competition to a close with the final match, prize presentations and recognition of outstanding participants, while the distribution of laptops will underline the event’s emphasis on developing young people both on and off the football pitch.
