Former Chelsea and England forward Eni Aluko has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to improve the competitiveness, structure, and appeal of Nigerian football in order to attract more players of dual nationality.

 

 

 

 

Aluko, who represented the England Lionesses at the international level while her brother Sone Aluko played for the Super Eagles, emphasized the need for Nigeria to become a top-choice destination — not just a fallback — for players eligible to represent more than one country.

 

 

 

 

 

In a recent interview with Spotify, Aluko explained:

 

 

“England is England. Most players who grow up here and choose to play for their country of heritage usually do so because they believe they won’t make a career playing for England. That shouldn’t be the case.”

 

“The onus is on the country to make itself a very attractive option. There are still issues that need addressing — from organization and investment to overall professionalism.”

 

“It’s really important that the Nigerian federation makes itself a competitive choice, not just the alternative.”

 

 

 

Nigeria’s national teams have increasingly featured players with dual nationality. The Super Falcons boast talents like Ashleigh Plumptre, Jennifer Echegini, Michelle Alozie, and Toni Payne — all of whom were raised abroad.

 

 

 

Similarly, the Super Eagles feature stars like Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, and Joe Aribo, who opted to represent Nigeria despite being eligible for other nations.