Super Eagles: Apologize to Nigeria – Lawmakers tell Libya

The Senate has called on the Libyan government to apologize to Nigeria for the poor treatment of the Super Eagles football team during their arrival for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. After their plane was diverted to a smaller airport, the team and officials were stranded for over 14 hours on October 13.

Senator Ismaila Kawu raised the issue in the Senate, urging the Nigerian government to address the diplomatic consequences with Libya. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin condemned the incident, stating that such actions go against the spirit of sports, which aims to promote unity and competition among nations.

Jibrin said, “The matter was brought under Personal Explanation by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South).

“What happened to the Super Eagles in Libya is not in tandem with the spirit of sports. The essence of sports is to promote unity and competition and enhance brotherhood among the countries on the continent. The way our players are treated is terrible and condemnable.

“Fortunately, you (Kawu) have come through a personal explanation, and this is what we intended it to do because we don’t want a diplomatic row; we think this is a mistake that the Libyan should be given a chance to correct and apologise to the Nigerian government.

“Nigeria is a big country in Africa. We always lead in terms of diplomacy, friendship and everything. Based on that spirit, I am sure you decided that this matter should be treated this way so we can give their leaders a chance to apologise to our national team.

“So, we call on the ambassador and whoever is concerned and the authorities to come out and apologise for what they have done to our national team.

“So, I thank the Chairman of the Sports Committee. You have done very well, and it is good that you have brought forth this matter. You have shown that you are up and doing in terms of your duties.”