Nigeria: Jay Jay Okocha, Former Super Eagles Captain Tipped as Youth and Sports Minister

By Amina Hilda

Former Nigerian Super Eagles captain Jay Jay Okocha has been tipped as Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development.

The information was made public by several Nigerian news sites, such as Supreme News which report that Tinubu’s media team has neither affirmed nor refuted the speculations.

Local media such as The Nigerian Voice speculate that Okocha is likely to make the ministerial list, alongside veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko

Born in 1973 in Enugu Jay Jay’s real name is , Augustine Azuka Okocha.

While playing with the national team of Nigeria, he won the African Cup of Nations in 1994, a finalist in 2000, before occupying the 3rd place in the same competition in 2002, 2004, and 2006.

The former captain of the “Super Eagles” of Nigeria was vice-champion of France in 2000 with PSG, finalist of the League Cup in 2004 with Bolton, and many others.

On an individual level, he was the best player and top scorer of the African Cup of Nations in 2004 with 4 goals. The previous year, he was voted player of the month of the English championship in November 2003.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current Head of State is expected to appoint his new Government soon.  He was elected President of Nigeria following elections in February 2023 and was sworn in on May 29.