Muhammadu Buhari : 7 trophies Nigeria won under ex-President

During his two-term tenure from 2015 to 2023, Nigerian football witnessed moments of triumph, particularly through its youth and women’s teams. While the Super Eagles did not lift any major international trophy, the nation still celebrated a number of historic football victories.

Below is a chronological breakdown of the football trophies Nigeria won under Muhammadu Buhari.

Just months after Buhari returned to office in May 2015, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets lit up the global stage by winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

The Manu Garba-led side defeated Mali 2-0 in the final to claim Nigeria’s fifth U-17 world title. Victor Osimhen stole the spotlight, scoring a record 10 goals and winning the Golden Boot and Silver Ball. The team’s thrilling brand of football earned them praise worldwide and reminded everyone of Nigeria’s dominance at youth level.

Later in the same year, Nigeria’s U-23 team, popularly known as the Dream Team VI, lifted the 2015 U-23 AFCON title in Senegal.

Under coach Samson Siasia, the team defeated Algeria 2-1 in the final, securing a spot at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. The squad featured players like Etebo Oghenekaro and Junior Ajayi, and their energetic display showcased Nigeria’s stronghold in age-grade football.

Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, were crowned African champions in 2016 after a dominant campaign in the African U-17 Women’s Championship.

They qualified for the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan by defeating South Africa 7-0 on aggregate. Rasheedat Ajibade and other youngsters in the squad laid the foundation for what would become a strong women's football generation under Buhari’s leadership.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons continued their dominance in African women’s football by winning the 2016 AWCON in Cameroon.

The Falcons defeated hosts Cameroon 1-0 in the final, thanks to Desire Oparanozie’s late goal. It was Nigeria’s eighth continental title, and the victory sparked celebrations across the country. Under coach Florence Omagbemi, the team blended youth and experience to maintain their place at the top.

Two years later, the Super Falcons repeated the feat by winning the 2018 AWCON in Ghana.

It was a hard-fought tournament where Nigeria struggled in the group stage but eventually reached the final against South Africa. The match ended goalless, and Nigeria won 4-3 on penalties. Asisat Oshoala, Onome Ebi, and goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi were the stars of the show, making it a ninth continental title for the Falcons.

In 2019, the Super Falcons added another feather to their cap by winning the WAFU Zone B Women’s Cup in Ivory Coast.

Though largely seen as a regional tournament, it was an important win for a new-look team coached by Thomas Dennerby. Nigeria beat hosts Ivory Coast on penalties in the final after a 1-1 draw. It was a morale booster ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup later that year.

Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, won gold at the 2019 African Games held in Morocco.

The Falconets defeated Cameroon 3-2 on penalties after a goalless draw in the final. It was their third African Games title, and it proved the depth of talent Nigeria continued to produce in the women’s category. The win also came at a time when interest in women’s football was growing across the country.