2026 U-16 Schools Championship Launches Across Nigeria

The 2026 FirstBank/Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Schools Championship is scheduled to begin across Nigeria, rekindling excitement among secondary school football enthusiasts. The championship, organized by the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation and the Nigeria School Sport Federation, is sponsored by First Bank Foundation.

The competition will commence with state elimination rounds across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, from June 26 to July 5. State champions will advance to the zonal stage, leading to a national final at a later date.

The tournament is designed exclusively for secondary school students and aims to significantly impact grassroots football development in the country. It seeks to discover and nurture young football talent while promoting healthy competition among students.

This championship serves as a tribute to the late Nigerian football icon Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji, who tragically died on August 12, 1989, during a FIFA World Cup qualifying match.