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LAGOS, NIGERIA — By Prime Brief Media

Nigerian international and Sevilla FC forward Akor Adams has issued a clarion call for an immediate and comprehensive reset of Nigerian football, warning that the current administrative and developmental approach is failing to harness the country's immense football talent.

In a candid and wide-ranging interview with The Sun, the 24-year-old striker did not hold back in his assessment of the state of the game in Africa's most populous nation. He argued that Nigerian football requires urgent structural reforms that go beyond cosmetic changes to the national team setup or short-term tournament preparations.

"We need a total reset of Nigerian football. Not just the Super Eagles, but everything — from the grassroots to the top," Adams stated. "We have too much talent in this country to be struggling the way we are. The problem is not the players; the problem is the system."

Adams, who has established himself as a key figure at Sevilla since his move from Montpellier, pointed to the dysfunction in talent identification and youth development as a central failing. He noted that too many promising young players fall through the cracks due to a lack of organised scouting networks, poor coaching at the grassroots level, and an administrative culture that prioritises short-term results over long-term investment.

"When you go to countries like France, Spain, or even Morocco now, you see a clear pathway for young players. There are academies with proper coaching, proper facilities, and a clear route to professional football. In Nigeria, we rely on street football and luck. That is not a system; that is a gamble," Adams said.

The striker also addressed the perennial instability within the Nigeria Football Federation, which has seen frequent changes in leadership and technical direction. He argued that the lack of continuity has undermined the Super Eagles' ability to build a cohesive identity and playing philosophy.

"Every few years, we start again. New coaches, new ideas, new everything. How can you build something meaningful when you keep tearing down the foundation? The best football nations in the world have a philosophy that runs through all their teams, from the under-15s to the senior side. Nigeria does not have that," he lamented.

On the Super Eagles' recent performances, Adams was measured but clear. He acknowledged the quality within the current squad but insisted that individual talent alone cannot deliver consistent success without a functional system behind it.

"We have players at top clubs all over Europe. That shows the talent is there. But when we come together, we don't always look like a team. That is not the players' fault. That is a reflection of the environment we are operating in," he said.

Adams' comments come at a time of renewed debate about the direction of Nigerian football. The Super Eagles are navigating a challenging period, with fans and analysts increasingly vocal about perceived underperformance relative to the talent available. Discussions around coaching appointments, domestic league quality, and youth development have intensified.

Prime Brief Media notes that Adams' call for a "total reset" echoes sentiments expressed by a growing number of Nigerian football stakeholders, including former internationals who have transitioned into coaching and administration. Whether his intervention will catalyse the kind of deep reforms he advocates remains to be seen.

Prime Brief Media continues to monitor developments in Nigerian football administration and will provide updates on any structural changes or policy responses from the NFF.