“Onigbinde left his footprints in Nigeria Football” Says NIS DG

By Jude Opara, Abuja

The Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Hon. Phillip Shaibu has recounted his last moments with the late former coach of the Super Eagles, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde who reportedly died in his sleep earlier in the week.
‎Shaibu in his tribute said despite the fact that the first indigenous coach of the Nigerian national team lived a fulfilled life, his passing leaves a sad feeling because the nation was not able to fully tap from his wealth of experience.
The former Deputy Governor of Edo state who only paid a courtesy visit on the late tactician last month regretted that there will be no time to have celebrated him as they had discussed.
‎”I recall on February 9, 2026 when I led the National Institute for Sports (NIS) delegation on a courtesy visit to the late tactician at his residence in Modakeke, Osun State. I saw a pillar in the foundation of Nigerian football, and I stressed that honouring sports legends while they are still alive is a core responsibility of institutions charged with sports development.
‎”Coach Onigbinde represents an era of discipline, courage, and football intelligence. At the National Institute for Sports, we believe that our legends must be celebrated, respected, and preserved as national treasures, while we also tap from their experience and wisdom in navigating our core mandate but unfortunately and as a natural course he is no longer with us.
‎”He has made his mark and leaves behind a legacy for other coaches or would-be coaches to follow. Nigeria will miss his wealth of experience”.
‎The NIS boss prayed that God grants his soul eternal rest and gives his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.