February 11, 2022

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says world football governing body FIFA has approved the application of Leicester City FC player Ademola Lookman to switch national association allegiance.

The clearance, according to an NFF source, paves the path to inviting him to star in the crucial World Cup play-off against Black Stars of Ghana next month.

Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that Lookman could with this approval represent Nigeria at international level.

He said Emilio Silveiro, FIFA’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, on Thursday conveyed to the NFF the decision of the Single Judge of the Status Chamber of the Football Tribunal.

“The request made by the NFF for a change of association of the player Ademola Olajide Lookman is accepted.

“The player is (now) eligible to play for the representative teams of the NFF with immediate effect,” Olajire quoted Silveiro as saying.

He also quoted NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, as lauding the record-time approval granted the application by the Federation with regards to Lookman’s desire.

“We sent in the application on Wednesday night after putting all the necessary documentation together. We are happy to receive the approval today,” Sanusi had said while reacting to the development.

Only in December of 2021, FIFA also approved NFF’s application for the switch in allegiance for Ashleigh Plumptre to represent Nigeria internationally.

Both Lookman and Plumptre had represented England at various junior cadres.

Named Ademola Lookman Olajide Alade Ayola Lookman (born 20 October 1997), he’s a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Leicester City, on loan from RB Leipzig.

Lookman made his senior debut in 2015, playing as a forward for Charlton Athletic of the Championship, and in January 2017 signed for Everton, who used him mainly as a winger. He has represented England from under-19 to under-21 levels