End of an Era: Ahmed Musa Retires from International Football, Capping a Monumental 15-Year Super Eagles Legacy.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

“From Kano to the World Stage. A Football Ambassador’s Journey of Pride, Passion and National Service.”

In a moment that reverberated throughout Nigerian football and beyond, Ahmed Musa, one of the most iconic figures in the history of the Super Eagles, has formally announced his retirement from international football, bringing to a close an extraordinary 15-year career that elevated him to a place of enduring legend in the beautiful game. His decision (delivered with humility and a profound sense of patriotism) marks the end of a chapter that saw him rise from a promising teenage talent to Nigeria’s most capped international footballer and one of Africa’s most recognized sporting ambassadors.

Musa took to social media on 17 December 2025 to share his decision with fans, teammates and the nation. In an emotional and reflective statement, he said:

“I wore this badge with pride for 15 years. From a 17-year-old boy answering every call to becoming the most capped Super Eagle with 111 appearances. AFCON champion. Nigeria’s highest World Cup goalscorer. Captain. Servant. Believer. I gave everything. Thank you, Nigeria, my heart will always beat green.”

These words capture the soul of a player whose career was not just measured in goals and appearances, but in sacrifice, loyalty and an unshakeable commitment to his nation. Musa’s retirement signals more than the end of a playing career, it is the closing of a defining era in Nigeria’s football narrative.

A Journey Forged in the Green and White. Ahmed Musa’s story is one that speaks to the resilience of dreams and the power of national identity through sport. Born and raised with football in his blood, Musa burst onto the international scene as a 17-year-old prodigy, quickly cementing himself as a fixture in the Super Eagles setup. His debut came in 2010, following a call-up by then-coach Lars Lagerbäck, and from that young age, Musa never hesitated when Nigeria came calling and whether for youth or senior national squads.

Over the next decade and a half, Musa’s presence in the team was synonymous with excellence and professionalism. He made 111 international appearances, a record that places him firmly atop Nigeria’s all-time list of most capped players, surpassing revered names such as Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama.

His tally of appearances stands as a testament not just to his athletic durability but to a career defined by consistent selection and trust from head coaches across successive generations of Super Eagles teams.

Musa’s international legacy includes 18 goals for Nigeria; a mark that further underscores his importance in crucial matches over the years.

Moments That Defined an Icon. Across his career, several moments stand out as defining chapters in Musa’s contribution to Nigerian football:

1. 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Triumph

In 2013, Nigeria lifted the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, a pinnacle achievement for Musa and the Super Eagles. The tournament in South Africa saw Nigeria reclaim continental glory, a triumph etched forever in the hearts of fans and in the nation’s football history. Musa’s role in this campaign was pivotal, showcasing his blend of pace, skill and tactical intelligence.

Renowned African football analyst Paul B. Collins once reflected on this moment: “Winning AFCON 2013 wasn’t just a victory on the pitch, it was a psychological reawakening for Nigerian football. Players like Musa gave the team both flair and belief; they showed that Nigerian talent, when harnessed, can conquer Africa.”

2. World Cup Excellence

On the global stage, Musa wrote his name into World Cup folklore. He became Nigeria’s highest World Cup goalscorer, netting four goals across two tournaments, a record unmatched by any of his contemporaries.

At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Musa etched an unforgettable moment by scoring two goals against Argentina, becoming the first Nigerian to score multiple goals in a World Cup match. He repeated a similar feat in 2018, finding the net twice against Iceland at the Russia tournament.

Football historian Dr. Samuel O. Akande, in reviewing Africa’s impact on world football, stated:

“Musa’s exploits on the world stage elevated Nigerian football’s global profile. Scoring against elite competition like Argentina speaks volumes about his technical quality and mental fortitude.”

These performances did more than win matches, they announced that Nigerian footballers could compete and excel at the highest level.

Leadership and Legacy. Beyond tangible achievements, Musa excelled as a leader and role model. He captained the Super Eagles and embraced responsibilities beyond scoring goals. His leadership was characterized not by flair alone, but by service — mentoring younger players, bridging generational gaps, and personifying the ethos that the national badge stood for something greater than individual ambition.

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Veteran sports psychologist Prof. Aisha Bello once noted:

“True leadership in sport isn’t just about scoring goals — it’s about shaping identities, inspiring collective purpose, and leaving a framework for future excellence. Musa embodied these values.”

Under his stewardship, the Super Eagles navigated periods of transition, adversity, and intense public scrutiny — yet Musa remained a constant, often advocating for unity and resilience in press conferences and interviews.

The Final Call and New Beginnings

Ahmed Musa’s final appearance for Nigeria came earlier in 2025 at the Unity Cup in London, where the Super Eagles overcame arch-rivals Ghana in the semifinals — a fitting curtain call for a career built on rivalry, competition and national pride.

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With his international chapter concluded, Musa is expected to focus on his role as General Manager of Kano Pillars FC — the club where his journey first took professional shape. Appointed to the position in July 2025, he has already begun shaping domestic football from the administrative end, blending his on-field experience with strategic leadership off the pitch.

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This transition from player to administrator reflects a deepening of Musa’s commitment to Nigerian football — ensuring his influence will be felt for years to come.

The Enduring Impact

Ahmed Musa retires not merely as a record-holder but as a national symbol — someone whose career narrated the aspirations of generations of Nigerian youths who dreamed of donning the green and white. His legacy is stitched into the very fabric of Nigerian football, with his influence extending into community initiatives, youth development, and the global perception of African football’s competitiveness on the world stage.

As football writer Chioma Nwosu aptly puts it:

“What Musa gave to Nigerian football transcends statistics. He gave belief — belief that talent from Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt, or Abuja could rise and imprint the world with Nigerian excellence.”

Conclusion

The retirement of Ahmed Musa from international football is a moment of both reflection and celebration. It is the farewell of a player who gave everything — time, talent, heart, and relentless dedication to the Super Eagles and the nation. His journey, marked by historic goals, leadership in continental triumphs, and a steadfast presence over fifteen years, will remain a lodestar for future Nigerian generations.

In paying tribute to his stature, we recognize that legends are defined not only by their records but by the inspiration they sow in the hearts of others. Ahmed Musa’s legacy, adorned with 111 caps, World Cup milestones, and continental glory, is a monument to what it means to serve with passion, lead with humility, and wear the green and white with unwavering pride.

Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.

You Cannot Tax Nigerians Into Prosperity: A Scathing Call for Suspension of Tinubu’s Tax Law.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

“How the National Opposition Movement Frames President Tinubu’s Tax Reform as an Economic Assault on the People of Nigeria.”

 

On 17 December 2025, the political and economic fault lines in Nigeria widened sharply when the National Opposition Movement (NOM) issued an unequivocal demand for the immediate suspension of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new tax law, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. At a press conference held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, NOM described the tax overhaul as punitive, exploitative and harmful to the everyday lives of ordinary Nigerians, warning that its implementation would exacerbate hardship, deepen inequality, heighten social tensions and erode national cohesion amid an already severe economic crisis.

This resounding opposition is not merely rhetorical dissent though it echoes grounded economic anxieties and taps into the lived realities of a populace grappling with rising food prices, escalating electricity tariffs, unemployment and a collapse of public services. To fully grasp the gravity of NOM’s demands, it is essential to contextualise the new tax law, examine the socioeconomic dynamics underpinning the backlash and assess its implications for Nigeria’s fraught political economy.

What Does the New Tax Law Entail? The tax reforms in question consist of a series of four legislative acts signed into law on 26 June 2025, namely:

Nigeria Tax Act

Nigeria Tax Administration Act

Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act

Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act
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Collectively, these laws envision a broadened tax base that mandates all Nigerian adults of taxable age (regardless of employment status) to file tax returns between January 1 and March 31, 2026, with penalties for non-compliance. Moreover, business owners are required to file tax returns for all employees, including those earning below the taxable threshold, a departure from previous practices.

Proponents including the Presidency and the Federal Government assert that the reforms will streamline tax administration, improve efficiency, broaden the revenue base, exempt genuine low-income earners and ultimately strengthen public finances. However, these stated benefits are deeply contested by critics who argue that the reforms fall far short of equitable and effective tax policy.

NOM’s Core Criticisms: An “Assault on the Poor”. At the heart of NOM’s criticism is the belief that the tax laws are not genuine reforms but an assault on the economic wellbeing and social security of Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable:

1. A Tax at the Worst Possible Time
NOM emphasises that Nigeria is in the throes of a multidimensional crisis, characterized by:

Rising poverty and homelessness

Food scarcity and high cost of living

Worsening insecurity

Declining purchasing power

In such conditions, adding fresh tax obligations (especially unaccompanied by improved services or social protections) is perceived as deeply insensitive and economically reckless.

As Dr. Amina Bello, Senior Fellow in Public Policy at the Centre for Economic Governance, recently observed, “Reforming taxation must start with equity, transparency, and capacity and not coercion. Taxing people into poverty only accelerates economic decay.”

2. Disproportionate Impact on the Poor and Vulnerable
Critics argue that the new regime will disproportionately harm low-income Nigerians. Despite government claims of exemptions for the poor, mandatory filings for unemployed adults and penalties for non-compliance are widely viewed as an undue burden on those already struggling to survive. Small and medium-sized businesses, already squeezed by inflation and weak demand, fear added bureaucratic costs and compliance liabilities.

Economist Professor Chukwuemeka Nnaji of the University of Lagos warned, “A tax system that compels returns from the unemployed, the underemployed, and those in the informal sector (without addressing their constraints) is not reform; it is a regressive extraction of what little remains.”

3. Weak Institutional Capacity
NOM highlighted Nigeria’s chronic institutional weaknesses; limited internet access, inefficient service delivery and widespread corruption within revenue agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The group criticised an undisclosed Memorandum of Understanding between FIRS and a French tax agency as lacking transparency and accountability.

This distrust is not unfounded. Transparency International’s latest assessments underscore longstanding concerns about governance failures and revenue mismanagement in Nigeria. Economist and governance expert Dr. Khadijah Ibrahim argues that “tax compliance must be built on trust; where institutions are opaque, taxation becomes synonymous with exploitation.”

4. Failure to Tie Taxation to Public Services
Another central criticism concerns the lack of direct, credible commitments that increased tax revenues will translate into improved public services. Nigerians continue to endure chronic electricity outages, deteriorating healthcare systems, poorly performing schools, and inadequate security. NOM contends that citizens are being asked to pay more without a guarantee of tangible returns in public welfare.

Public finance scholar Professor Olufemi Adesina summed it up:
“A tax system divorced from visible public benefit is a moral failing. Citizens pay taxes to see better roads, functional health systems, safety and opportunity, not to subsidise inefficiency.”

NOM’s Demands: Beyond Suspension. NOM’s call for suspension is accompanied by detailed policy prescriptions:

Immediate halt to the tax plan’s implementation

Nationwide consultations with labour unions, civil society, SMEs, professionals and state governments

Explicit social protection guarantees tied to any future tax reforms

A shift in tax focus toward luxury consumption, excess profits, monopolies and corrupt gains

Stronger legal safeguards to protect taxpayer rights

This reflects a desire for a more inclusive and equitable policy process, one that acknowledges economic realities and empowers citizens rather than penalizes them.

Political and Social Implications. NOM’s stance aligns with ongoing resistance from organised labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), both of which have raised alarm over governance and economic policies under the Tinubu administration.

The opposition’s framing of the tax law as an “assault” signals deepening trust deficits between the government and significant segments of the public. Without dialogue and compromise, there is a tangible risk of escalating social unrest, strikes, and further fragmentation of national unity.

Defending Tax Reform and Or Misdiagnosing the Problem? Supporters of the tax reforms argue that Nigeria’s historical reliance on oil revenues has starved government coffers and that broadening the tax net is essential for sustainable fiscal policy. International financial institutions have long urged Nigerian administrations to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation to reduce dependence on volatile oil earnings.

However, this perspective faces critical pushback: What use is a broader tax base if millions cannot afford basic necessities? If institutional corruption persists unchecked? If tax revenues do not translate into visible public goods?

This fundamental tension lies at the heart of the current crisis of confidence.

A Moment of National Choice: A Nation at a Crossroads. The demand to suspend Tinubu’s tax law is more than a political slogan—it is a clarion call for governance rooted in equity, accountability and public trust. As Nigeria approaches the implementation deadline, the administration faces a pivotal choice: engage in genuine dialogue and recalibrate policy, or risk deepening an already perilous socio-economic divide.

As Dr. Aisha Mohammed, an expert in fiscal policy, warned, “Tax reform cannot be a dagger aimed at the poor. It must be a bridge to shared prosperity.”

In the final analysis, Nigerians should not be taxed into poverty; they must be taxed toward prosperity; where taxation and service delivery form a pact of mutual accountability and where no citizen is left to shoulder the weight of systemic failures alone.

–Why unresolved wealth claims, political proximity, and silence in the face of formal media enquiry are testing the moral bar of Ijebu’s most sacred throne

The Awujale of Ijebuland is not merely a crown—it is a moral institution, a custodian of centuries-old values, and a symbol of integrity that has outlived empires, colonial rule, and political upheavals. That is precisely why the reported interest of Mr. Abimbola John Onabanjo in the revered stool has triggered intense public scrutiny and growing unease.

At the heart of the controversy are serious but unproven allegations, persistent questions about wealth accumulation, and—most strikingly—silence in response to a detailed formal media enquiry issued to allow fair hearing.

Why the Awujale Stool Matters

Historically, the Awujale stool has stood apart in Yorubaland. From pre-colonial times through modern Nigeria, Awujales have wielded not just authority, but moral restraint—serving as arbiters, cultural anchors, and voices of conscience.

Unlike political offices, the throne demands moral legitimacy, not just eligibility by lineage. Any aspirant, therefore, is held to a standard far higher than ordinary public figures. Reputation matters. Perception matters. Transparency matters.

Wealth, Lifestyle, and the Burden of Explanation

Public attention has focused on claims questioning whether Mr. Onabanjo’s reported lifestyle and assets align with publicly known sources of income. Among the allegations circulating in civic and political circles are claims attributing to him:

A solar energy installation allegedly running to several millions , allegedly imported from Germany and installed by foreign technicians

A luxury residential property in Ikoyi, reportedly valued at about ₦4.5 billion

Luxury wristwatches allegedly valued at approximately USD 4 million

These figures, if accurate, place Mr. Onabanjo among Nigeria’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals—raising legitimate public-interest questions about wealth provenance. No court has ruled on these matters, but the absence of voluntary clarification has amplified scrutiny.

Money-Laundering and Political Proximity Allegations

More troubling are allegations—unproven but persistent—suggesting possible links to money-laundering and other illicit financial flows. There are also claims that Mr. Onabanjo acts as a financial front for a prominent South-West governor who has reportedly fallen out with the presidency in recent times.

These claims allegedly would pose a direct threat to the political neutrality historically associated with the Awujale stool. Traditional institutions thrive on distance from partisan power. Perceived political capture risks eroding public confidence not only in the throne, but in the broader traditional system.

It bears repeating: no charges, indictments, or judicial findings have been established against Mr. Onabanjo. Yet, editorially, silence does not neutralise concern—it magnifies it.

Declared Companies and Allegations of Financial Conduits

Further scrutiny has centred on companies publicly associated with Mr. Onabanjo, including Kleensteps, Extol Security, Scent Arcade, and KMF Oil & Gas. Allegations—again unproven—suggest these entities may be used as conduits for illicit funds, alongside claims of other undeclared companies allegedly linked to questionable transactions.

In investigative journalism, such claims demand verification—not dismissal. Equally, they demand response.

The Media Enquiry—and the Silence

In strict adherence to journalistic ethics and the principle of fair hearing, this newspaper formally issued a detailed media enquiry to Mr. Abimbola John Onabanjo. The enquiry requested clarification on:

Source of wealth and luxury assets

Lifestyle–income consistency

Money-laundering allegations

Political financial links

Nature and legitimacy of declared companies

Alleged undeclared business interests

Suitability for the Awujale stool in light of unresolved concerns

The enquiry explicitly stated that:

The report was under editorial review

No conclusions had been reached

The story had not been published

Any response would be fully and fairly reflected

As of press time, no response was received.

This silence is now a central fact of the story.

Why Silence Is Not Neutral

In matters involving private individuals, silence can be a right. In matters involving aspiration to one of Nigeria’s most sacred traditional institutions, silence becomes a public issue.

The Awujale is expected to command respect not by coercion, but by moral clarity. When serious questions arise, engagement—not evasion—is the currency of credibility.

A Test Beyond One Candidate

This controversy is bigger than Mr. Onabanjo. It is a stress test for the Awujale succession process itself. Will modern expectations of transparency coexist with tradition? Or will silence, speculation, and political shadows define the future of a once-unassailable institution?

Editorial Position

This newspaper makes no declaration of guilt. Allegations remain allegations. However, the burden of reassurance rests with the aspirant, not the public.

Until clear, verifiable explanations are offered, the questions will persist—and rightly so.

The Awujale stool deserves clarity, not controversy; truth, not whispers; and leadership beyond reproach.

History is watching. So is Ijebuland.