The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday inaugurated the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) for Girls at the Noble Hall Leadership Academy in Abuja.

The programme, which follows a boys’ edition launched two years ago, aims to help member associations spot and nurture young talent from the grassroots. NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau MON stressed the scheme’s importance for talent identification and development.

“This scheme is dedicated to uncovering talents among both boys and girls. Nigeria has consistently led women’s football in Africa for the past 25 years,” Gusau said, congratulating the first cohort of beneficiaries. He pledged that experts will be brought in to train the pupils with the hope that some may one day wear the national jersey, emulating stars such as Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade.

NFF Director of Competitions Ms Ruth David, representing General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi (MON), described the TDS as part of FIFA’s long-term collaboration with member associations to raise global competitiveness and deepen talent pipelines.

Head of Women’s Football at the NFF, Hajiya Amina Daura, thanked the school for hosting the launch and explained the programme’s broader goals: to develop players and prepare young girls for careers across football — including coaching, refereeing, physiotherapy and sports medicine — while promoting discipline and health.

Proprietress of Noble Hall Leadership Academy, Hajiya Maryam Muttalab Duba, expressed pride that the school was selected for the launch and said she hoped some students would one day represent Nigeria.

Also in attendance were the NFF Head of International Competitions Mr Dayo Enebi Achor, Head of National and Inter-Clubs Competitions Dr Ayo Abdulrahman, Chief Technical Officer Coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf, and other federation officials.