Solomon Aliyu Vows Overhaul of Coaching Structure After Appointment as Nigeria’s Athletics Head Coach

Solomon Aliyu, the newly appointed national head coach of Nigerian athletics, has promised wide-ranging reforms aimed at revitalising the country’s technical coaching system and restoring discipline within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) programmes.

Aliyu, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, was named to the position in what AFN officials described as a bold and “unconventional” move. The appointment, announced on Tuesday by the federation’s Secretary General, Israel Inwang, is effective immediately.

As part of his mandate, Aliyu will lead efforts to restructure the national coaching framework, introduce high-performance standards, and oversee preparations for both local and international competitions.

Speaking exclusively to The PUNCH, the veteran coach expressed appreciation for the opportunity and the trust reposed in him by the AFN.

“I’m deeply honoured by this appointment,” Aliyu said. “It’s a great responsibility, and I’m thankful to the federation for believing in my ability to contribute meaningfully.”

While the AFN referred to his selection as “uncommon,” Aliyu deferred to the federation on that assessment but cited his years of involvement in preparing athletes for international duties as a possible reason.

“I’ve been in the trenches for years, working on several national assignments,” he explained. “Each time I was called, I gave it my all.”

His appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the AFN looks to reshape the country’s technical direction in athletics. According to the federation, Aliyu will be tasked with coordinating all coaching activities nationwide, designing development strategies for athletes, and aligning local standards with global best practices. He is also expected to work in close collaboration with the federation’s technical director to unify coaching operations across all tiers.

Though he stopped short of unveiling a detailed action plan, Aliyu confirmed that initial consultations are already underway.

“As president of the Coaches Association, I already have a strong grasp of the problems,” he said. “We will collectively assess the challenges and develop sustainable solutions. The scope of work in my appointment letter will serve as our guide.”

Aliyu also reflected on the leadership vacuum left by the retirement of former head coach Amelia Edet, saying the absence of structured leadership had negatively impacted cohesion among technical staff.

“There’s been a lack of direction in recent years due to the absence of a clearly defined coaching leadership. This appointment gives us a chance to correct that,” he said.

Looking ahead, Aliyu stressed the importance of continuous training and upskilling for coaches as a central part of his vision.

“Regular education and retraining for coaches will be a cornerstone of our work,” he affirmed. “Empowered coaches will be better positioned to nurture world-class athletes who can represent Nigeria with pride.”

The AFN expressed confidence that Aliyu’s leadership will help raise performance levels across the board, unite the coaching community, and lay the groundwork for long-term technical growth. He will serve an initial two-year term, with the possibility of renewal based on performance.

Aliyu currently serves as president of the Nigeria Athletics Coaches Association and brings decades of experience to the new role.